Standing in My Place

If your kids are like mine, sometimes you get short notice on the meetings, performances and special events down at the school.  Take, for example, today’s Veterans Day Celebration at Woodstock High School.  My senior daughter told me about it late last night, as the whole family was headed to bed. 

“The chorus is singing tomorrow for a Veterans Day program, if you want to come,” she said.  That’s teen speak for “This is important to me and if you’re not there, it means you love my older sister more than me.”  I immediately set the alarm.

As instructed, I arrived at the school around 9:30 AM, all bundled up for the stadium, but because it was so cold today, the event was moved to the gym.  As I took my seat in the bleachers, the varsity singers and orchestra were warming up on “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” while members of the ROTC, decked out in their uniforms, prepared to escort local veterans and their guests to reserved seating on the gym floor.

At this point, the room was mostly empty, and I snapped a few photos with my phone.  Then the floodgates opened and hundreds of students poured into the arena. Some walking, some running, some jumping: It was that unrestrained teen spirit driven more by missing biology than saluting American patriots.

Then a young man from the ROTC unit asked for silence, and most complied as the ceremony began.  Young men and women in uniform formed an archway of swords as a list of veterans and their escorts was read.  World War II, Korean War and Desert Storm were there.  Some walked slowly, with the aid of canes and walkers.  Some looked younger, and walked faster.  All were escorted by wives, grandchildren and other family members.  

An unexpected lump formed in my throat.  These people weren’t playing some role in a play.  They had been in foreign lands, faced fierce enemies, saw death and somehow returned home, so you and I can sleep more soundly at night.

The band and chorus struck up a medley of armed forces themes, asking members of each to stand as their theme was played: Army, Navy Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.  The applause was always polite, as members stood and saluted. Another lump and slightly moistened eyes resulted.

Colonel Michael Boyce, USMC (Retired) speaks at
Woodstock High School Veterans Day Program 

Colonel Michael Boyce, USMC (Retired), served as speaker, and did an excellent job in knowing his audience.  “I will be brief,” he promised the students, offering the adage, “To be noticed, stand up; to be heard, speak up; and to be appreciated, shut up.” Colonel Boyce reminded the students of four key character traits, “Duty, Honor, Integrity and Trust,” and quoted the promise found in Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Something he said could apply to everyone who serves the nation in uniform.  


It was a beautiful ceremony, capped off with the wife of a Woodstock teacher singing, “God Bless the USA,” and the audience standing and applauding on the last chorus.

One poignant moment came early in the program when the color guard brought in the flags for the National Anthem.  As the anthem closed, the audience was told to be seated, but the colors had not been formally dismissed.  While the rest of us followed instructions, four of the older veterans being honored remained standing, saluting at full attention until the flag had officially left the floor.  

They weren’t offended or rude, just obedient and respectful of the training they had received.  We were sitting, while they were standing.

Somehow, that was the loudest message of the day for me: Veterans standing where I should have stood. And for that, I am forever grateful.

God Bless the USA.