The Pueblo Chieftain n www.chieftain.com
Saturday, November 13, 2010
METRO
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AND THE REGION
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Fourteen East graduates have lost their lives in the nation’s wars. _______________________________________
By GAYLE PEREZ
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
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T he name s of 14 East High S c hool graduate s etched in the gray marble s late dis play e d on the s c h o o l ’s s t a g e F r i d a y morning served as a symbol of the sacrifice Eagles hav e made for the ir country.
Eagles honor those w ho gave all “East High School is part of the tradition,” C o u n t y C o m m is s io n e r Jeff Chostner told the students and local veterans at the s c hool’s annual Veterans Day assembly. “This school has a lot to be proud of and the memorial on this stage serves as a reminder of the 14 (East graduates) who gave their lives,” said Chostner, a graduate of East and a retired Air Force colonel. The annual ceremony organized by East teacher Ray LeMasters, a Marine Corps veteran, is designed to educate East students
about the importance of Ve te rans Day and to honor local veterans. As part of the educational component to the ceremony, Pueblo Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix, who was in Pueblo to help dedicate the Veterans Bridge on Thursday, s poke to the s tude nts about symbolism. “A symbol is not what you call yourself but what you can be,” Dix said. He said America is not a great country because of its land, beliefs or ideas, but because of all Americans, including the students.
“Y ou are not the future, you are our nation today ,” he said. “W hat you do today affects how the country will sustain its e lf. Ev e ry thing done s hould be done w ith honor and inte grity as those before have done. Y ou are our nation today.” Dix told the students that as they search for t h e ir id e n t it y , a l w a y s remember to “make decisions that are right for your friends, your school, your community and your country. “I guarantee, you will come out right here on
top.” As part of the assembly, LeMasters highlights a different one of Pueblo’s f o u r M e d a l o f H o no r recipients. The late Carl Sitter was recognized for his heroics that led to him being presented with the Medal of Honor. A se gme nt of the a w a rd-w inning B e y o nd the Medal of Honor series featuring Sitter’s accomplishments was shown in an effort to give students a better understanding of his bravery and service to the country.
T he c e re mony also included a tribute to prisoners of war and troops missing in action. It was conducted by a team of M arine C orps me mbe rs and inc lude d a w re athlaying ceremony at the foot of the memorial honoring East graduate s kille d in Vietnam. T he graduate s w hos e name s appe ar on the memorial are David Blunn, Daniel Clevenger, Robert
Ellsw orth, Alle n Ford, Ronald Katz, Patrick Lucero, John Patrick Martinez, M ic ha e l Pe te M a rtine z , M ig ue l N a ra njo Jr., Michael T omsic (W ood) and Leslie Williams. L e M a s t e r s c o nc l u d e d the ceremony by presenting the East High School and American Legion Service award to East teacher D.J. Latino for his service to veterans. gperez@chieftain.com