Students packed the Durango High School gym Wednesday to honor veterans as part of the school’s third annual Veterans Day Assembly.

Service members from all military branches sat in the middle of the gym as DHS students and faculty paid homage to their service ahead of the holiday Friday. The DHS band performed the “American Medley” and students performed the Missing Man Ceremony to honor those who never returned from service.

Veterans Day Parade

The annual Veterans Day parade will be held at 11 a.m. Friday on Main Avenue in downtown Durango. The parade will begin at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot, 479 Main Ave., and travel north on Main Avenue.

The DHS Choir also sang “Brother,” and Seneca Wilson performed a cover of “Travelin’ Soldier” by The Chicks.

As part of the ceremony, veterans were given a yellow rose to symbolize appreciation for their services.

“It's a great community event where our local veterans who have served our country come together and are appreciated,” said Ryan Knorr, the district’s athletics and activities director. “It’s a chance for our school and community to say thank you for putting your life on the line and defending our country.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Durango Police Chief Bob Brammer, who served in the Marines.

“Today we honor the sacrifices of those who’ve served so that we can enjoy the freedoms bestowed upon us in this great country,” he said.

Brammer shared that Veterans Day is celebrated on Armistice Day, which commemorates the ending of warfare during World War I.

“Veterans Day is a celebration of service and selflessness of our nation’s veterans,” he said.

DHS junior Hazel Seashore Botha and senior Vivian Pinkerton were in charge of planning the event as the school spirit directors. Pinkerton said it was important for the school to celebrate the veterans and honor them for their service.

Pinkerton’s mother served in the Navy for 11 years. She read a poem called “Thank a Veteran” at the event.

“It's very easy to get wrapped up into the bubble of your everyday life, especially as a high school student,” Seashore Botha said. “And events like these definitely opened a window into what a community looks like.”

Both Seashore Botha and Pinkerton said the assembly gives students perspective.

“I definitely think that it gives a sense of community, it's important to establish the community,” Pinkerton said.

Both students said a lot of planning went into the event but it was worth it to honor the veterans.

They coordinated with Army veteran Bruce Heller, who helped gather the veterans for the event. The students also reached out to Brammer about being the keynote speaker.

Former DHS social studies teacher Dale Garland said the high school and the Durango veterans community should thank DHS Principal Jon Hoerl for the assembly.

Hoerl has been instrumental in making the veterans event what it is.

“He took this from just being a certificate handout during lunch to something that really showcases the veterans and honors their commitment and service,” Garland said.

Garland served as a corporal in the Army for six years. He spent three years in active duty and three as a member of the Army reserve.

Garland joined the army out of high school because he was not ready for college at 18. He said it was a way for him to mature.

“It taught me a lot about the value of relationships and about commitment and standing for something,” he said.

Those lessons helped Garland transition to earning an education and his career as a teacher. He said the assembly allows students to see the values by which service members live.

“We heard this morning about commitment and service,” he said. “It shows them that they can do that. And they can be a part of a bigger community. And so not everybody has to go to college.”

Part of Durango School District’s Portrait of a Graduate Plan is for students to have an idea of what their career will be. Seashore Botha said the assembly helps spark students’ interest in military careers.

“There’s a lot of kids that have their heart set on military careers whether it’s the influence of their parents or something they’re really interested in,” Pinkerton said.

tbrown@durangoherald.com