2013 Veteran’s Day Script—Draft 1
[Prelude]
[Presentation of the Colors—Marc Pravlik, John Riofrio, Juan Enriquez, JJ Schoenhoffer]
[Band/Choir play Star Spangled Banner]
Crystal: Hello and thank you all for coming to our 2013 Veteran’s Day Ceremony here at South Valley
Middle School. I am Crystal Acosta and, on behalf of the 2013 Veteran’s Day Committee, I
welcome you.
Sam: We are proud to call our crew family, and we would like to take a moment to introduce them to
you. Members, would you please stand as I call your name. Audience, please hold your
applause until all the names have been called:
Emily: In 6th Grade: Savannah Rutheford and Hero Trent .
Crystal: In 7th Grade: Rayanna Bartlett, Amayde Cruz, Kayla Garza, Ryan Gilbert, Morgan Hurla,
Marisa Manriquez, Heather Meining, Katie Miles, Angela Moreno, Julianna Muñoz, Leilana
Ocanas, Crystal Pike, Briana Riofrio and Ashley Seibert
Sam: In 8th Grade: Crystal Acosta, Lorren Badker, Sam Beezley, Karra Beierle, Courtney Boggs,
Chrissy Gruntorad, Issela Herrera, LeaAndra Lege, Alyssa Mallard, Hannah McGirl, Sebastian
Nieto, Robert Robar, Davis Robinson, Jolene Rutheford, and Emily Stolzenberger
Crystal: I have a question. Why do we celebrate Veteran’s Day?
Em: Well, I think we should let our crew answer that question with a look at the history of the American
armed forces.
The American Revolution
1775-1783
Sam: The American Revolution. 1775-1783.
Leilana: “Sullen fires across the Atlantic glow to America's shore: Piercing the souls of warlike men,
who rise in silent night.”
Bri: In 1776, Thomas Jefferson sent a letter to King George of Great Britain on behalf of the 13 “United
Colonies” declaring their independence. With this letter, American freedom began. The
American Revolution, our first war, raged from 1775 to 1783.
Crystal P: At this time in our history, our soldiers began writing letters to their love ones back home.
One soldier died leaving his true love behind and this is what he wrote:
Kayla: “I want you to know that every time I smile you have put it there. You make me smile when
others can’t. You make me feel warm when I am cold. You have shown me so much love
and so much more.
Rayanna: I want you to know how much you mean to me. You are my whole world and I love you with
all my heart, you are my happiness. There is no sea or ocean that could stop my love for
you. It is the biggest thing I have.”
Angela: He was among the first American Patriots to fall in the defense of our freedom.
Emily: In the American Revolution, 6,188 patriots were wounded and 4,435 patriots died fighting
for America.
The War of 1812
1812-1815
Crystal: The War of 1812: 1812-1815
LeaAndra: "Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."
Sebastian: August 1814. Frightened citizens look on as British troops enter the nation’s capital,
Washington D.C., and burn it to the ground. This is the war of 1812. Angry at their
recent loss, Britain enlists the help of Canada and various tribes of Native Americans to
win back their lost colonies.
Morgan: Though temporarily defeated, the citizens of the United States of America fight back.
On February 17, 1815, the Treaty of Ghent is signed, ending the war.
Heather: This would come to be known as the “Second War of Independence” by those who lived
through it, ushering in a whole new era of national patriotism and cooperation among the
young states of this new country.
Emily: In the War of 1812, 4,505 patriots were wounded and 20,000 patriots died fighting for
America.
Mexican/American War
1846-1848
Sam: The Mexican/American War: 1846-1848
Julianna: But he in the earliest manhood,
Has sadly passed away,
And now is sleeping,
On the field of Monterey.
Courtney: In 1845, America annexed the state of Texas, a territory which Mexico still claimed as its
own. This began the Mexican/American War that would last from 1846-1848. While the
battles were hard fought, the United States eventually won the day.
Emily: In the Mexican/American, 4,152 patriots were wounded and 13,271 patriots died fighting
for America.
The American Civil War
1861-1865
Crystal: The American Civil War: 1861-1865
Leilana: “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the
people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
—President Abraham Lincoln
Bri: Tensions between the northern states and the southern states had been building for years. In 1860,
the country elected Abraham Lincoln, causing these tensions to explode. Eleven southern
states withdrew from the United States to form a new nation, The Confederate States of
America.
Crystal P: Desperate to hold the union together, our country went to war with itself. At last, in April
1865, the South surrendered to the North, preserving the Union and securing three great
victories for freedom:
Kayla: The 13th Amendment to Abolish Slavery
The 14th Amendment to Extend Legal Protection to All Regardless of Race
The 15th Amendment to Abolish All Racial Discrimination in Voting
Emily: In the American Civil War, 275,200 patriots were wounded and 110,000 patriots died
fighting for America.
[Band or Choir]
World War I
1914-1918
Sam: World War I: 1914-1918
Rayanna: Dark clouds are smoldering into red
While down the craters morning burns.
The dying soldier shifts his head
Morgan: To watch the glory that returns;
He lifts his fingers toward the skies
Where holy brightness breaks in flame;
Radiance reflected in his eyes,
And on his lips a whispered name.
Heather: On the 28th of June, 1914 Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria. Because of interwoven treaties among many great European
nations, this political sabotage between two minor countries set off a diplomatic crisis
that resulted in a conflict that quickly spread around the world.
Julianna: After years of devastation, the war finally ended on the 11th of November, 1918, Armistice
Day. This is day in history, just a few days short of 95 years ago today, is the day we
celebrate as Veteran’s Day each year.
Emily: In World War I, 204,002 patriots were wounded and 53,402 patriots died fighting for
America.
World War II
1941-1945
Crystal: World War II: 1941-1945
Courtney: "Today we are faced with the preeminent fact (a fact of the highest importance) that if
civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships-the ability
of all people, of all kinds, to live in the same world at peace."
—From an Unpublished Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Leilana: On the morning of December 7th, 1941, Japanese planes launched a surprise attack on Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, destroying a huge American naval fleet. On December 8, 1941, the
United States declared war, officially entering World War II.
Bri: World War II was a war fought on almost every continent and resulted in the deaths of between 50
and 70 million people worldwide—more people than any other war in human history.
Crystal P: With the surrender of Germany and Japan to the Allied Forces in 1945, the war ended,
closing one of the most difficult chapters in global human history.
Emily: In World War II, 670,846 patriots were wounded and 407,300 patriots died fighting for
America.
Plaque Dedication
Kayla: About a month ago, a man who grew up in our community came to visit Dr. Jo Barbie, our
superintendent. His name was Joe Ayala, and he grew up in the Colorado Mexican
Colony in Gilcrest. When the call to defend our country came during the time of World
War II, he and 27 others from his neighborhood went to serve in the U.S. military.
Rayanna: Now in his late 80s, Joe wanted to find a way to honor his brothers in arms and remember the
joy of growing up in this community. So, he presented Dr. Barbie with this plaque and a
copy of his autobiography, which will go to the Valley High School library.
Angela: Today we dedicate this plaque to the memory and celebration of his service, the service of
those who went with him from this area, and the service of all those young Americans
who fought in World War II.
[applause]
The Korean War
1950-1953
Sam: The Korean War: 1950-1953
LeaAndra: All of us just had to be there
And so many of us died.
But now we’re all but half forgotten
No one remembers how we tried.
Sebastian: We grow fewer with the years now
And we still don’t raise a fuss.
But Korea really happened
So please - remember us
Morgan: Because of its smaller scale and the fact that it quickly followed the much larger conflict of
World War II, The Korean War is sometimes overlooked by history. As the poem we
read from this era indicates, however, every life—every story—is precious.
Emily: In The Korean War, 8,142 patriots went missing, and 54,246 patriots died fighting for
America.
The Vietnam War
1959-1975
Crystal: The Vietnam War: 1959-1975
Heather: I fall to the ground
Covered in mud
I clench my eye
My hands full of blood.
Julianna: I fall to the ground
I’m going to heaven
I say bye to my wife
And my daughter who’s seven
Courtney: In 1956, America took charge of training the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, trying to
defend the freedom of South Vietnam from the communist powers in the north.
By 1965, large American combat groups joined in the fight, remaining there until 1973 when congress
passed the Case–Church Amendment, forbidding U.S. involvement in the conflict
without congressional approval.
Leilana: Vietnam remains the longest-lasting war in American History to date.
Emily: In The Vietnam War, 1,948 patriots went missing, 152,303 patriots were wounded, and
58,193 patriots died fighting for America.
[Band or Choir]
The Gulf War
1990-1991
Sam: The Gulf War: 1990-1991
Bri: One more day toward the end of life
One more day of struggle and strife
One more day on the desert road
One more day of the war unfolds
One more day of the war to be won
One more day to victory's sign
One more day has gone behind.
Crystal P: On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, invaded Kuwait. Kuwait
immediately requested the assistance of the United States for assistance in defending
themselves. Within 5 days, the U.S had f-15 Eagle fighters in the Persian Gulf to begin
Operation Desert Shield, in which they had to liberate Kuwait from the iron grip of
Saddam Hussein.
Kayla: By March 3, 1991 Iraqi leaders accepted the terms of a cease-fire, and the brief war ended.
Emily: In The Gulf War, 467 patriots were wounded, and 378 patriots died fighting for America.
[JJ Interview]
The War on Terror
2001-Present
Crystal: The War on Terror: 2001 to the Present
Rayanna: I love and miss you guys like crazy. I know i miss both of you too. at times id like to
even just spend 1 minute out of this nightmare just to hold and kiss you guys to
make it seem a little bit easier.
Angela: im sure he will like whatever you get him for xmas, and i know that as he gets older
he’ll understand how things work. well things here always seem to be......uhm
whats the word.....interesting i guess you can say. you never know whats gonna
happen and thats the worst part.
LeaAndra: do me a favor though, when you go to my sisters or moms or wherever you see my
family let them know that i love them very much..ok? well i better get going, i
have a lot of stuff to do. but hopefully ill get to hear from you pretty soon.*muah*
and hugs. tell mijo im proud of him too!
Sebastian: love always,
your other half
Morgan: Juan Campos, e-mail message to his wife, Dec. 12, 2006. Juan was killed in action on
June 1, 2007
Heather: On September 11th, 2001, the cityscape of New York City changed forever, and Americans
were reminded once again of both the dreadful cost and precious value of their freedom.
Almost immediately, President George W. Bush initiated the war in Afghanistan to locate,
limit, and eventually eradicate the Al-Qaida terrorist group responsible for the attacks.
Juliana: Two years later, in 2003, the United States led a coalition of forces into Iraq to overthrow the
regime of Saddam Hussein. While Hussein himself was defeated quickly, the war
continued for many years as the U.S. worked to help establish political stability in the
country based on a democratic form of government run by the native peoples of Iraq.
Emily: In The War on Terror, 31,827 patriots have been wounded, and 4,404 patriots have died
fighting for America. Across the history of our country, 1,349,490 patriots have been
wounded, and 735,718 patriots have died defending American Freedom. We now
ask for a moment of silence to remember them all.
Sam: If you have served, or are now serving, in any branch of the U.S. military, please stand.
Emily: As challenging as it is to remember the sacrifices of those—both past and present—who
have given so much, none of them would want us to live inside the pain of what they
have lost. They stood up and made their sacrifices with pride. They suffered so that
we might truly know the joy of what it means to live in the land of the free, and the
home of the brave.
Crystal: So now we ask that you might join us in celebrating the gift of American freedom they
have given us with a resounding round of applause.
Honoring the Veterans of Our Community
Sam: We would like to welcome all the veterans who have served us in the military. Please come
forward and state your name and branch.
[Honored Vets Approach]
[Band or Choir “Thanks”]
Honored Veteran’s Slideshow
Emily: Please get comfortable. Our Veterans Day committee has put together a slide show to
honor all of those who have served us in the military.
[Slide Show]
Crystal: Please stand as the color guard comes forward to retire the colors.
[Mr. Aguirre plays Taps]
Sam: We thank you all for coming. We appreciate you taking some of your time to come and
celebrate all of those that have served and are serving right now for our country.
Emily: Let’s take one last opportunity to thank all of the veterans, from the first revolutionary
American farmer to all those present here today, for the service, patience, and
sacrifice.
Crystal: Thank you. Live free and always remember.