Hudson students come together to honor our military
By: Kristen Ferrara
Hudson ISD hosted its annual Veteran’s Day Program on Wednesday, November eleventh. Seventy-three veterans, along with their family members, were in attendance. The event began with a breakfast, provided by the Family and Consumer Science's culinary classes, which was followed by a formal ceremony in the Hudson Gym.
Major General Mike Taylor was the Veteran who spoke this year. He discussed various conflicts throughout U.S. history and expressed gratitude toward family members and others who have provided moral support. Hudson High School’s Advanced Audio Visual class presented a documentary on Dixon Martinez, a local resident who served as a Rear Gunner in the WWII Conflict. Every viewer would agree that this video was not only entertaining but inspirational.
KD Warner, a HHS senior and 2015 State UIL Solo Silver Medalist, sang the national anthem. Hudson High School Jazz Band performed two songs, “You’re A Grand Ole Flag” and “America The Beautiful.” Summer Comeaux sang the latter; she dedicated her performance to her grandfather, Private First Class, Jack Green, U.S. Army.
A new addition to this year’s program was the Bonner Beat Show Choir, which was established six years ago by Leigh Ann Hughes. This year, seventy-five students auditioned for the show choir, but only twenty were selected. I had the honor of speaking with Ashton Booth, one of these few, who claims he “loves performing; it’s my favorite thing to do.” Booth feels, “We should be thankful for our veterans because they fought for our freedoms,” and, for this reason, he was especially excited to engage in the program. Mrs. Hughes stressed the importance of the event to her students. She stated that, “Of all of our performances this is one of the most important because it is amazing what the veterans have done for our country and we owe them this.”
These efforts were successful as many veterans enjoyed themselves and appreciated the program. Mr. Hansen, a Vietnam veteran and substitute at HHS, claims, “This is my third year [to attend the program]. It is always so nice. I was just so pleasantly surprised the first time I came. It was hard to believe what a nice presentation you people put on.” Jeff Moats, pastor of Denman Avenue Baptist Church, stated, “I enjoyed the Veteran’s Day Program this year as I have enjoyed it every year. My favorite part of the program is the opportunity I have to visit with the students at HISD.” Mr. Moats also claimed that, “The Veteran’s Day Program is also an opportunity for me to remember the veterans in my own family. My grandfather (deceased) is a WWII veteran; my father (deceased) is a Vietnam veteran; my father-in-law is a Vietnam veteran; my step-father is a Korea veteran, and I am a Desert Storm veteran.”
Mary Ann Whiteker praised this year’s program. She claims, “Every year I think you cannot get any better, and every year you get better. It was phenomenal. It was perfect, everything about it.” Mrs. Whiteker summed up the purpose of the program when the stated, “My husband served two tours of duty in Vietnam. What so many people don’t understand is once they come home the war doesn’t end; veterans live with it for the rest of their lives. Taking this day to stop and tell them how much we appreciate them is something they carry with them all year long.” For this reason, HHS Student Council looks forward to another successful program next year.
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