MNW honors ‘experienced soldiers’
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> Deb and Dean Poppen, of Manson, and Lester Tammen, of rural Manson, enjoy refreshments before the Veterans Day program Wednesday at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School. Dean Poppen served in the United States Air Force, while Tammen served in the U.S. Army.
-Messengerphoto by Deanna Meyer <BR> Local veterans pause for a picture after giving a salute at the flagpole outside Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School. From left are Randy Stein, John Jacobs, Tom Heinze, Dave Jepson, Mark Essing, Arlin Kirkhart, Mike Cooper, Lester Tammen, Randy Stein, Dean Poppen and Ron Sturgis.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> Veterans of the U.S. Army stand to be recognized when their branch's song is played by the Manson Northwest Webster Band.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> Student council member Sophia Michalski shares leadership lessons learned from U.S. Army veteran Ron Sturgis, of Manson. Looking on, from left, are FFA members Alison Nimke, Emery Pelz and Abby Langenwalter, who each took part in leading Wednesday's Veterans Day program at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> From left, FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) members Adrianna Ohrtman and Maddison Fick, both seniors, along with student volunteers Natalie Jones and Kolyns Birkey, both freshmen, help serve refreshments to veterans ahead of Wednesday's Veterans Day program at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> Deb and Dean Poppen, of Manson, and Lester Tammen, of rural Manson, enjoy refreshments before the Veterans Day program Wednesday at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School. Dean Poppen served in the United States Air Force, while Tammen served in the U.S. Army.
-Messengerphoto by Deanna Meyer <BR> Local veterans pause for a picture after giving a salute at the flagpole outside Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School. From left are Randy Stein, John Jacobs, Tom Heinze, Dave Jepson, Mark Essing, Arlin Kirkhart, Mike Cooper, Lester Tammen, Randy Stein, Dean Poppen and Ron Sturgis.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> Veterans of the U.S. Army stand to be recognized when their branch's song is played by the Manson Northwest Webster Band.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> Student council member Sophia Michalski shares leadership lessons learned from U.S. Army veteran Ron Sturgis, of Manson. Looking on, from left, are FFA members Alison Nimke, Emery Pelz and Abby Langenwalter, who each took part in leading Wednesday's Veterans Day program at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School.
-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer <BR> From left, FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) members Adrianna Ohrtman and Maddison Fick, both seniors, along with student volunteers Natalie Jones and Kolyns Birkey, both freshmen, help serve refreshments to veterans ahead of Wednesday's Veterans Day program at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School.
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MANSON -- Local veterans were honored Wednesday morning during a Veterans Day program at Manson Northwest Webster Junior/Senior High School, led by FFA and Student Council members.
"It is a day we stand and support our fellow Americans who have so proudly served our country in the armed forces," said FFA member Emery Pelz.
FFA member Alison Nimke defined a veteran as "an experienced soldier, especially one who served in a time of war."
FFA member Abby Langenwalter emphasized that "all those who served -- not just those who have died -- have sacrificed and done their duty to defend freedom."
Each year, the MNW Student Council interviews a local veteran ahead of Veterans Day to learn their thoughts on what it means to be a good leader. This year, that veteran was Ron Sturgis, editor of the Calhoun County Journal-Herald.
Born Jan. 12, 1946, Sturgis graduated from Ocheyedan High School and served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972.
Student Council member Sophia Michalski shared Sturgis' responses on leadership with the students, staff, veterans and community members gathered for Wednesday's program.
While in the Army, Sturgis said several good leaders "helped me learn, grow and get through some of the more challenging parts of training."
He added that a good leader listens to people at every level, whether they are below him or alongside him.
"Above all, he has no ego, but remains firm enough that others don't walk all over him."
Michalski said Sturgis also learned that leadership requires confidence in one's decision making.
"There were times when I had to make difficult decisions, and I learned the importance of standing behind those choices and accepting responsibility for the outcome, whether it was positive or negative."
Sturgis shared with Michalski that in the Army, good leaders earned respect through leading by example.
Finally, Michalski shared Sturgis' advice to students:
"Never let failure keep you from moving forward," he said. "There will be times when things do not go as planned, but those moments are opportunities to learn and grow. Keep doing your best in everything you do, because people are always watching, whether you realize it or not. Your actions can influence and inspire those around you."
The MNW Choir, under the direction of Kelbi White, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and an arrangement of "This Land is Your Land/America the Beautiful," while the MNW Band, under the direction of Erica Logan, played "Salute to America's Finest," with veterans in attendance standing when their branch of the service's song was played.
Each veteran was then recognized by stating their name, branch of service, and when and where they served in the military.
The program closed with a veterans salute at the flagpole.
Beforehand, veterans were treated to coffee and cookies made by the International Foods Class and served by FCCLA members and student volunteers.