This year's Veteran Program at the high school was a little different. They usually have a speaker. However, this year's speaker was an essay written by Walter Heimbigner and read by Tucker Taylor. Walter won 2nd place in the state with this essay.
"I believe freedom is the ability to live in a country where I may think and act independently. I thank God for the men and women whose service to our country has allowed me to be free in this country. Freedom can also mean having the opportunity to vote for particular ideas or for people who best represent our views. Freedom can refer to the concept of the First Amendment, "freedom of speech," the ability to freely voice personal opinions or perspectives. Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of giving oneself one's own laws."
"Freedom can also mean that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise or abridging the freedom of speech, the press, or the right of the people to peaceable to assemble. What freedom means is that no matter what religion, gender, or ethnicity a person is, he or she shall have a right to express themselves. Freedom means that people of all races, gender, and ethnicity shall have civil rights according to the Constitution's 14th Amendment of Civil Rights."
"Freedom also tells me about the 5th Amendment of the Constitution. I believe the definition of freedom can be found in all of the Amendments of the Constitution. The one Amendment that stands out is the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. The 2nd Amendment, "The Right to Bear Arms," states the following; "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and Bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This stands out for me because it is the Amendment to protect an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home of the individual."
"In my own opinion, I believe that all ethnicities should have all rights of freedom to protect themselves and others. For what reason they have in their own situations, they shall have a right to voice their opinions and perspectives on the situation they hold. That is what freedom means to me."
The program started with the 6th grade class signing the National anthem. The 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade classes and the high school choir each sang a song.
In the end, the band played each branch of the Armed Forces anthems while members of the audience stood to receive applause.
The was art made by the younger grade school and on display at the end of the auditorium.
