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Local veterans honored at Wellsville Schools

By Kristi R. Garabrandt 3 min read

WELLSVILLE -- Wellsville was among the many school districts across our area holding Veterans Day programs Friday.

The ceremony was held at the high school. The event began with words from Wellsville Mayor Bob Boley. The WHS Tiger Marching Band played the national anthem. Senior president Colton Carter led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Mark Blakely, Wellsville FCC, delivered the invocation.

For Ray Joy, US Army, 1962-1965, Vietnam Era (stationed in Germany), the enthusiasm expressed by the choir members made him happy. The young students put enough energy into reciting the Pledge of Allegiance they could be heard over everybody else gathered in the gymnasium. When asked what a ceremony like the one held by the school meant to him. Joy said it meant the world to him. He showed photos of his brother, Edgar, who was killed in Vietnam on the very day he was supposed to return home.

Throughout the ceremony high school students Korben Kersey, Tyrell Watkins, Shellby Dillow, Kelsey Stover, Anthony Cataldo, Arianna Atkins, Addison Allen, Anna DeSarro, Nariah Stanley, Ryley Barney, Cayden Vincent, Baylee Haddox, Justin Temple, Kameron Wright, Brooklyn Smith and Eric Dowling read letters of thanks written for the veterans.

Many of the students expressed sentiments of not being able to understand what the veterans went through during their services and the sacrifices that they made but they were grateful for their service and thanked them. Other students expressed beliefs that they would not have the lives they have and the freedom to do what they do if it weren't for the veterans.

Third-grade student Edward Wilson III gave the introduction for guest speaker PR1 Henry Dorsey, Navel Reserve (retired) and a member of Wellsville High School Class of 1971. The youngster greeted him with a hug as he approached the podium to speak.

Dorsey explained how Veterans Day is celebrated, and many tributes are given during the 11th minute of the 11th day of the 11th month. He explained the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Dorsey told the students to talk to the veterans and if they do, they will likely not hear any of them say they did something spectacular and that they were "ordinary guys and ordinary girls who doing ordinary things, but they took that oath to defend the United States and they will defend to the death." He said veterans were just regular people who did their job and did what they were asked to do for their country.

The third, fourth, fifth and sixth-grade choirs held up pictures of the states as they called of each of the 50 states during their performance of "God Bless the USA."

The ceremony concluded with the introduction of the 18 veterans presents by Principal Richard Shilling, followed by a moment of silence and the benediction said by Pastor Blakely.

Boley described the day as one of celebration but also a solemn day and thanked all the veterans for their service.

Following the ceremony, the veterans were treated to a luncheon in the school library.

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