Students publish book showcasing area veterans

“My dad was a veteran, and he is gone now,” she said. “I didn’t get to have this kind of conversation with him about his time in service like these kids have done, and I regret it, but I do feel like I am hearing his story, too.”

The students started the program on Veterans Day last year by inviting vets to participate. Two weeks later, they were winning a regional award. By the time they went to the state competition and did not win, winning no longer had anything to do with what their project was about, Michael said.

The book and DVD include photos and remembrances from 19 vets who participated.

“When we started, we knew some things might be hard to talk about, but we wanted the real story so we had a motto, ‘We know it is difficult to remember, but we don’t ever want to forget,’ but that has sort of changed,” she said. “Now, it’s more about every day being a good day to honor a vet.”

The public is invited to attend Friday’s assembly, especially area vets, to hear a few short speeches from a few select students and state Rep. Mike Harmon. The chorus will sing, and the band will perform as well. Copies of the DVD will be given to vets in attendance who participated in the project.

“I appreciate vets much more now,” said sophomore Cassidy Wheeler. “Their sacrifices carried more weight after we got to know them, but most don’t want to talk about that as a rule.”

The students were ‘locked-in’ for a night to wrap up the project a few weeks ago and participated in what they called a “Table of Contemplation” to discuss and digest the experience. A few will be heading into a military careers. What that means now carries more weight. Michael said she was impressed by the seriousness of the group, the maturity forged from a new — and deep — respect.

A few copies of the books will be available for $30 each with the accompanying DVD for an additional $10. If they sell out and there is a demand, “We can order as many as people want,” Michael said.