REXBURG – Community members, veterans and Madison High School students honored veterans Friday in the annual Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day ceremony.
The high school’s band and orchestra played the music for the ceremony, which included “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” the Service Hymns for each branch of the military and more. Brady Stuart sang a solo of “O Danny Boy.”
The ceremony opened with the Madison High School Drum Line and then a flag ceremony and posting of the colors by the National Guard Armory. Band Director Steven Klingler also played “Taps” during the ceremony.
Joseph Law of the Veterans of Foreign Wars gave remarks about the importance of freedom.
“There’s a price to be paid and many of our men and women step forward and serve their country with honor,” Law said. “With that freedom, I would challenge each of us, and especially our young friends here today, with that freedom, that’s been purchased so dearly, set your sights high, pick something noble and use your freedom wisely.”
Brandon Tighe, a member of the Chamber’s board, opened the meeting and led the Honor Wreath Ceremony. In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, he said it’s important to constantly remind yourself what it means to be free.
“The idea that we go out with the opportunity to chase life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we have that blessing and our veterans have often given up the ability to do those things for a very specific sacrifice, sometimes even the ultimate sacrifice, for our benefit,” he said.
Ellis Rail was one of the two veterans who participated in the Honor Wreath Ceremony. He served in the United States Navy for 20 years and now serves in the Veterans of Foreign War. He said he’s happy to provide service to the community. He said he loves the music and seeing the students be involved in the ceremony.
“They’ve committed their learning efforts to the various musical instruments they play … it makes the fulfilment, if you will, of what I joined the service for in the first place, which was service to country and to preserve the freedom that we enjoy here, including that of public education,” he said.
The student council helped in various ways during the ceremony, including leading the Pledge of Allegiance and standing in the Honor Wreath Ceremony. The ceremony honored local businesses who donated wreaths to display at the Veteran’s Freedom Memorial at Smith Park in Rexburg. Members of the Veterans of Foreign War saluted representatives of the businesses, and when a representative was unavailable, a student council member took their place, including Tanner Dummar. Rail saluted Dummar.
“It was really cool,” Dummar said. “I honestly don’t know how to put it in words. It was really special.”
Don McDougal served in the Vietnam War in the Idaho National Guard. He also serves in the Veterans of Foreign War.
“It always brings tears when you come to something like this, for all those who served,” he said.