At Plum School District’s upcoming Veterans Day celebrations, Kailey Burton hopes not only to thank current and former service members but impart some history to her peers.
Burton is the group commander of Plum High School’s Air Force JROTC program. She and dozens of her fellow cadets have been planning the Veterans Day events for months.
Though some events — such as the veterans ceremony Nov. 10 at Holiday Park Intermediate School — will take place prior to the holiday, most of the students’ plans will occur during daylong celebrations Nov. 11.
The day will begin at Plum High School, where an hourlong ceremony will see Air Force JROTC students offer a presentation of military uniforms from various eras of American history, supplemented by historical information and context.
That’s in addition to a color guard presentation, performances from high school musical groups and a re-creation of the flag raising over Iwo Jima, among other performances and activities.
“It really means a lot to show these veterans how much we care,” Burton said.
After the ceremony at the high school, celebrations will progress throughout the day at Pivik Elementary School, followed by O’Block Elementary and ending at Plum Middle School in the afternoon.
A senior, Burton joined Air Force JROTC in her freshman year.
Since then, the program — which includes more than 70 students — has helped her to grow and develop into a leader, she said.
That growth has been evident, as Burton and other cadets have worked to plan the numerous ceremonies down to the minute, said Paul Nosek, Plum Air Force JROTC’s senior aerospace science instructor. Nosek is a retired Air Force colonel.
Each school’s student body will attend the ceremonies, but Nosek said local veterans also have an open invitation to attend.
Vets wishing to appear can RSVP prior to the events or simply arrive Nov. 11 to be honored at the schools.
“It’s more than just a federal holiday. It’s a time to remember those who made sacrifices for our country,” Nosek said.
Most of the uniforms presented during the high school ceremony will come from a local American Legion post, which loaned or donated them to students.
Among those uniforms will be that of Nosek’s grandfather, who fought in World War II with the First American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers. The Tigers fought alongside Chinese forces to repel invading Japanese troops.
Nosek said he hopes the events can also serve as a moment to honor families of veterans and their sacrifices.
For veterans to RSVP, email Nosek at nosekp@pbsd.net or Master Sgt. Kevin Buter at butlerk@pbsd.net.
