‘Lest we forget’
Houghton schools held remembrance
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HOUGHTON -- The Houghton High School Junior ROTC battalion hosted its annual Veterans Day Program Wednesday inside the high school gymnasium. The event commenced at exactly 11:11 a.m. to honor the traditional World War I armistice hour.
The annual event is organized under the supervision of Senior Army Instructor and Retired Colonel Dylan Carlson, but Carlson pointed out the program is planned and run by the junior ROTC cadets from the high school and middle school.
The regional ceremony brought together the high school cadet corps, the high school band and the high school choir to provide a unified tribute to all area veterans in attendance.
"It is also tremendously supported by our High School Band and the Houghton High School Choir," Carlson said.
According to the assembly's program, the ceremony featured a formal presentation of colors, an execution of JROTC precision rifle drills, a ceremonial flag-folding demonstration and a dedicated POW/MIA commemoration. Cadets presented individual service flags representing every branch of the United States Armed Forces to recognize area veterans, alongside formal remarks delivered by student organizers and local community guest speakers.
Because the cadets plan and organize the event, the program format changes annually.
"It is different every year," Carlson said. "This year there’s going to be some new revisions because we’re also honoring the 250th anniversary of our country, and so during the flag folding presentation there’ll be a little musical number to go along with that and as well as some new songs by the band and choir."
While JROTC membership changes as students graduate, the dedication of the cadets to the success of the Veterans Day Program remains constant.
Part of the reason the annual event is always well-attended is it remains true to honoring military veterans and to Veterans Day, even though the format changes from year to year.
"That is part of the excitement of it,” said Carlson.