PCHS marks Veterans Day

State Rep. Jason Bunting shakes hands with local veteran Rick Goembel at PC High School Tuesday.

Members of the community and students at Prairie Central High School recognized Veterans Day on Tuesday.

The annual ceremony in the PCHS gymnasium followed an ice cream social for veterans and family members in the cafeteria.

“To our veterans joining us today, we want you to know how deeply grateful we are,” said PCHS Principal Wade Czerwonka.

State Rep. Jason Bunting of the 106^th district acknowledged it is a day to say thank you.

“A very heartfelt thank you to the veterans that have joined us.”

Bunting noted Veterans Day is not something read in text books, but it is about real people who choose to serve something “bigger than themselves.” Some traveled far from home while all of them sacrificed, according to Bunting.

“Veterans Day is our chance to say with gratitude and respect we see you, we appreciate you and we honor you.”

Representative Bunting challenged the students to be good citizens, looking for ways to help others.

State Senator Chris Balkema, of the 53^rd district, urged the audience to dig deep in order to see what their strengths and talents are and to go out of the way to learn from the experience of others.

“Find the time to thank a veteran for their service,” Balkema said. “Our future is bright, our nation is young, we’ve got lots of opportunity.”

Paul Augsburger of the Fairbury VFW Post 9789 and Dana Convery, PCHS English teacher, announced the local Voice of Democracy essay winners. The top three winners for Fairbury were Yuri Vilchis, Tucker Stoller and Wade Fehr. Chenoa’s top three winners were Lucas Steidinger, Easton Friedman and Madison McCulloh. Each will receive a monetary scholarship award.

U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Veteran Lee Reinhart was the speaker. He completed deployments to the Middle East and his service has taken him many places in the world – such as the ocean at the equator and the Rome coliseum. Reinhart said he also knows what it feels like to be on patrol in a war zone.

“I would never take one single moment of my military time tack,” he said.

Reinhart encouraged students to look at the school’s Memorial Wall which features the names of veterans.

Members of the Prairie Central High School band provided music such as the National Anthem, America, Taps and the Armed Forces medley with a salute to America’s finest.

The presentation of colors was given by the Fairbury VFW Post 9789 and Fairbury American Legion John Joda Post 54.

Members of the Prairie Central Girls Basketball program helped serve ice cream during the ice cream social and greeted guests arriving at the high school for Tuesday afternoon's program.

PCHS Principal Wade Czerwonka addresses the students Tuesday at the Veterans Day assembly.