AGHS honors local veterans with assembly, breakfast

Students and faculty of Ash Grove High School paid tribute to America’s veterans on Friday, Nov. 8, with a special assembly honoring their service.
About 60 area veterans and their family members attending the assembly were treated to a special breakfast prepared by students in the Advanced Foods and World Foods classes and served by members of the FCCLA. Afterwards, the veterans were escorted by members of the FFA to the school’s gymnasium, where they were seated in a place of honor for the assembly.
The assembly began with a moment of silence in recognition of the fallen and the presentation of the colors by FFA members, followed by a speech by Greg White, a social studies instructor at the school. During his speech, White told the veterans that America enjoys peace and freedom because veterans like them were willing to pay the cost for it. “Part of the cost has already been paid by great Americans, just like you, who have answered the call of military duty when their country needed them,” White said.
Also, during the assembly, FFA members Alexis Long and Mackenzie Lutz spoke on the history of Veterans Day, and the school’s band and choir performed several patriotic numbers, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” “The Marches of the Armed Forces,” and “Golden Dream.”
This year at the assembly, FFA members Jessica Wheeler, Luke Elliot and Cannon Palmer told the story of the late Eugene Gilbreath as an example of someone who created a legacy of service during his lifetime.
As the students told it, Gilbreath, a Walnut Grove native, volunteered for service during WWII at the age of 18, and became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. He served with the 506th parachute regiment, also known as the “Band of Brothers.”
While looking for blankets for his fellow soldiers during a mission in Holland, Gilbreath was shot in the chest by a sniper. After several weeks of recovery, he returned home to Walnut Grove. He received the Purple Heart for his actions.
Gilbreath passed away on Oct. 18 of this year at the age of 94 and was buried in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Walnut Grove.
Jessica Wheeler later said the FFA members who spoke about Gilbreath chose his story because they felt it have a profound effect on those who heard it.
“We chose him because he was local, and he had died recently, and we just thought it would be more impacting on the people if they learned more about him,” she said.
After the assembly was over, several of the veterans expressed their appreciation to the students for taking the time to recognize their service. Charlie Stark, whose grandson, Luke Elliot, spoke during the assembly, said he enjoyed listening to the students.
“I appreciate the school putting the program together,” he said. Stark said his favorite part of the assembly was listening to Luke speak, but added that all of the students did a wonderful job.
 

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