Geneseo High School opened its doors on Friday morning to welcome and thank local veterans in honor of Veterans Day.
GHS Principal Tom Ryerson, who hosted the assembly, described patriotism as a “fundamental American value” and called Veterans Day an “opportunity for Americans to show their respect, gratitude and support for all who have served.”
The assembly began with the GHS Honors Band playing the National Anthem featuring Addison Dykstra as the soloist.
Next, student council president Emma DeBaene acknowledged the veterans in attendance, which included two GHS staff members–Mike Harrington and Dan Rakestraw–and Superintendent Dr. Adam Brumbaugh, all of whom served in the United States Army.
The featured speaker was Isabel Anderson, a Geneseo resident who works as a substitute teacher. Anderson, who enlisted in the Army when she was 18 years old and served for six years, talked about her journey and shared that the Army’s “Be All That You Can Be” campaign caught her attention and inspired her to join.
“When I decided to enlist, my mom asked me why, and I told her, ‘Because when I leave this world, I want God to know that I gave it my all,” Anderson said. “Sharing my story was an excellent experience, especially to be able to speak to the high schoolers. I was once in their shoes and unsure of which path I wanted to take.”
Anderson recalled her time with the Army, which included repairing aviation radar equipment and night vision goggles for the pilots. After 9/11, she remembered feeling that “everything we knew changed forever” and the sudden realization that deployment overseas would soon become a reality for many. Over the years, Anderson served and lived in Bosnia, Egypt, Iraq and Korea.
Now, she and her husband, Josh, a Geneseo native and fellow veteran who served in special forces, have three children.
“My oldest wasn’t able to be here today, but he is the one who experienced the military life the most of our children,” Anderson explained. “He understands the significant challenges of having a father deployed. It meant the world to me to be here, especially to see the local veterans and be able to tell them thank you.”
Other highlights from the assembly included the GHS choir performing “Setting Sail: Freedom of the Spirit,” a song written in honor of World War II veterans, and “From Sea to Shining Sea.”
Principal Ryerson shared that this week, GHS collected over $200 from students as part of its hat week. Those proceeds will benefit the Quad Cities Veterans Outreach Center.
The assembly concluded with the GHS Honors Band performing the Armed Forces Medley with veterans from different branches of the military standing and being recognized.
“Veterans Day is a day to celebrate everything that veterans have done,” Anderson stated. “They’ve dedicated themselves to our country and the protection of it. We sometimes take our freedom for granted and don’t appreciate it as much as we could. I look back on the history and photos from World War II and Vietnam, and I’m so grateful for all the soldiers who dedicated themselves to our country.”
We held our Veterans Day Assembly this morning at GHS. Breakfast and a whole school assembly to recognize and thank our local Veterans. pic.twitter.com/kFyHe4EG3F
— Tom Ryerson (@Ryerson_Tom) November 10, 2023