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Veterans Day speaker addresses his heroes
On Friday morning, Nov. 11, the Nevada High School gymnasium was packed with talking veterans, chattering students and restless teachers, administrators and community members, but when the first somber note of a symbolic 11 bells rang out, the crowd fell into solemn silence as the 2011 Veterans Day Assembly began.
Friday's annual event marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; an occasion originally designated to recognize Armistice Day or the official end of World War I in 1918. The date was changed to Veterans Day in order to pay tribute to all veterans in 1954, during the Eisenhower administration. The silence between the rich bell notes wasn't broken by a giggle, a squeaking chair or even a cough; the serious nature of the occasion demanded absolute quiet.
As the ceremony unfolded, Joseph Ferry, the senior class president introduced the guest speaker by saying that what sets United States Marine Major Sean Quinlan apart is "his natural ability to lead and inspire others."
Quinlan was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., and enlisted in the Marines in 1985. He served in light armored vehicle and light armored infantry battalions for a decade. Outstanding service led to his selection for the Meritorious Commissioning Program which led to his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1996.
As an officer, Quinlan served in a variety of staff, training and command positions. Extensive operational duty in Iraq from 2004-'07 provided much of the material for his presentation. Quinlan has been decorated with the Bronze Star with Valor, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. Quinlan is also an accomplished and well known motivational speaker and leadership coach. He began by asking the audience for "30 minutes of their undivided attention."
"I want to talk about three kinds of heroes," he said. "They're in gymnasiums and auditoriums across America today." Quinlan contrasted his first hero, the humble heroes of military service with the so called modern heroes of film and professional sports. These veterans, they didn't take home big checks, said Quinlan. Instead, they "wrote checks payable to the United States of America" and in the amount payable line the amount was listed as up to and including life.
Quinlan spoke about the Revolutionary War and how Washington took a "ragtag Continental Army" up against the greatest military power in the world. He touched on the Civil War and the 600,000 American lives lost in that fight for "state's rights." He mentioned how we had been an ally to France during World War I and again during World War II and how those veterans, and the "Frozen Chosen" from the Korean War came home and built the America we live in today. He talked about the reception he received on his return from the Mideast. "I was treated like a rock star," he said. The men who came home from Vietnam didn't get that. "I want to welcome you home" right now, he said. He commended all veterans saying that "the minute we stop fighting for what we believe in, this country will cease to exist."
Members of the audience could be seen wiping a tear here and there or heard voicing an affirmation to Quinlan's powerful statements; some sat spellbound and listened during his presentation. He moved through the gym during his speech and made personal contact with the people. His second kind of hero was also in the gym. Before the assembly began, Quinlan approached R-5 superintendent Dr. David Stephens and thanked him for the opportunity to speak at the school.
Quinlan told the audience that he respects educators and considers them heroes because "they've got the toughest job in America." Quinlan talked about how difficult it is to be an educator and how many of them sacrifice for their profession and how what they did each and every day shapes "the future of this republic." Quinlan soon moved on to his third type of hero.
Students, he said are heroes because they are the future. Quinlan addressed the students in the gym and said that he knows that each of them has a "personal greatness" in them. "Each of you have it," he said. You have to find out what that is and "you have got to take and lead us into the 21st century." Before closing his presentation Quinlan related several anecdotes about men he had served with who had given their lives for this country. At one point he admitted he was choking up because of the emotion he felt for those men and their families.
Other highlights of the ceremony came from the opening moments, when Nevada High School JROTC cadet Cory Burton stepped up to the podium, which was fronted by the boots, barrel-down rifles and helmets of symbolic of fallen soldiers and welcomed the crowd. The JROTC unit's color guard posted the colors and the high school band played the "The Star-Spangled Banner." Everyone stood for the "Pledge of Allegiance" and listened intently as Nevada Middle School language arts students read patriotic readings with titles like "Bravery" and "Missing You."
Student council members Taylor Norcross and Cassidy Lowery read the names, service dates and branch of service of dozens of local veterans. Men and women of all ages, from every branch of military service who served in conflicts from World War II to present and during peacetime were honored with the reading.
The Nevada Middle School choir sang "God Bless America," prior to Quinlan's presentation.
Quinlan stood during the "Marine Corps Hymn" and all other veterans stood during their branches' songs as the high school band played a medley of service songs titled, "A Salute to America's Finest."
A cadet read a brief history of "Taps" before the haunting bugle melody was played in honor of fallen heroes and those heroes still living.
After the assembly, there were tears and handshakes and hugs among veterans young and old. "Thank-yous" from grateful people to veterans could be heard all around as an auditorium full of proud Americans slowly emptied.