‘Freedom is not automatic’
SEV students honor area veterans
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Blake Bloomquist, a junior member of the Southeast Valley Student Council carries the American Flag into the gymnasium to begin the Veterans' Day ceremony.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Mateo Luna, a highly decorated Navy veteran and mayor of Callender, was the guest speaker at Wednesday's Veterans' Day ceremony in Gowrie.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Southeast Valley junior Lane Alhers plays Taps at Wednesday's Veterans' Day ceremony in Gowrie.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Veteran Jim Hunter enjoys breakfast that was made and served by the Southeast Valley Student Council on Wednesday. The annual event at the high school honored veterans from throughout the region.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Blake Bloomquist, a junior member of the Southeast Valley Student Council carries the American Flag into the gymnasium to begin the Veterans' Day ceremony.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Mateo Luna, a highly decorated Navy veteran and mayor of Callender, was the guest speaker at Wednesday's Veterans' Day ceremony in Gowrie.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Southeast Valley junior Lane Alhers plays Taps at Wednesday's Veterans' Day ceremony in Gowrie.
-Photo by Tonya Harrison <br> Veteran Jim Hunter enjoys breakfast that was made and served by the Southeast Valley Student Council on Wednesday. The annual event at the high school honored veterans from throughout the region.
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GOWRIE -- Honoring veterans can begin with a thank you, but Matteo Luna challenged students at Southeast Valley High School on Wednesday to carry that gratitude into the way they also live.
"Here's one thing that we can all do to show our thanks to veterans," Luna said. "Go out and live your absolute best lives and then, their service and sacrifices and their suffering for our lives will never be wasted."
Luna, the mayor of Callender and a 30-year Navy veteran, was the guest speaker at the school's Veterans Day ceremony. Presented by the Southeast Valley Student Council, the program brought together the entire high school student body, community members and veterans and included performances by the Southeast Valley High School choir and band.
Student Council members also cooked and served breakfast for veterans and their families, offering another expression of appreciation for their service.
For senior Owen Nuss, Student Council co-president, the ceremony was an opportunity to ensure veterans' contributions receive the recognition they deserve.
"It's something that people don't always think about, but it's important to remember what these veterans did for our country," said Nuss. "It's something in general that we should remember and not let their work and sacrifices fall under the radar."
Luna's military career included 21 years of active duty and nine years in the Fleet Reserve. A gunner's mate senior chief petty officer, he held leadership positions afloat and ashore and served during Operation Earnest Will, escorting Kuwaiti tankers, and Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
Beginning in 2001, Luna continued serving as a Navy civilian employee at Naval Special Warfare headquarters, supporting SEAL team combat systems during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On Wednesday, Luna shared the story of retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, the only survivor of a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team attacked during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan in June 2005.
Luna described Luttrell's struggle to survive and the Afghan civilians who sheltered him and helped get him to safety. He also spoke of the military personnel involved in the rescue efforts, telling the audience that some of his own men participated and were killed.
"Most veterans don't return home hoping to become famous," Luna said.
His message centered on remembering that service and finding ways to honor it beyond a single ceremony.
Referring to a distinction explained by the Student Council, Luna said Memorial Day remembers those who did not come home, while Veterans Day honors those who did.
"Whether it's about thanking a veteran, hiring one, or supporting a veteran-owned business, there are many ways to honor a veteran, and today is one of those," he said.
For the students gathered before him, Luna also offered a reminder that the freedoms they enjoy depend on a continuing willingness to protect them.
"Most importantly as we observe Veterans Day 2026, let us remember that freedom is never automatic or self-sustaining," said Luna. "Every generation must be willing to defend it. The veterans we honor today answered that call."