Geneseo High School celebrated and honored those who have served in the United States Armed Forces at a Veterans Day assembly on Monday morning.
Principal Tom Ryerson hosted the all-school assembly, which opened with the National Anthem and featured Shay Schehl as the soloist.
“Today, we gather as a school and community to reflect on and show our gratitude for the sacrifices made by the veterans who have served to protect our nation's freedoms,” said Ryerson. “Their dedication and courage remind us that the values we hold dear of freedom, justice, and democracy are preserved through their selfless service.”
Student council president Payton Snider formally introduced and welcomed the veterans in attendance, which included a pair of GHS teachers, Mike Harrington and Dan Rakestraw, and the district superintendent, Dr. Adam Brumbaugh, all of whom were in the United States Army.
Ryerson shared that the high school’s “Hat Days” week—which allowed students and staff to wear hats for a $1 donation per day—raised over $300 that will be donated to the Quad Cities Veterans Outreach Center.
The assembly’s featured speaker was Sarah Alexander, Geneseo’s Aisle of Flags board president. Alexander spoke about the Aisle of Flags’ history, dating back to when it was started by Pat Johnson, Naomi Livingood and Dorothy Young, who wanted to honor their late husbands.
“On Memorial Day 1981, 50 casket flags were flown for the first time,” noted Alexander. “Since then, weather permitting, the flags are flown Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day. New flags are added on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The flags go up at 7 a.m. and come down at 2 p.m. This morning, we put up 924 casket flags representing 949 veterans in the city parks with the help of community volunteers of all ages.”
Alexander was joined by her husband, Phil, who is vice president of the Aisle of Flags’ board. Their son, Sam Alexander, is a Naval submarine officer who graduated from GHS in 2013. Sam earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, is a certified nuclear engineer through the Navy’s nuclear pipeline, and has a master’s degree in ocean engineering, specializing in sonar and other underwater applications.
“We have been involved with Aisle of Flags for about 20 years now,” said Sarah. “We got started when Sam was in Cub Scouts. I can't put into words what it means to the community, which is so supportive. We also have people that are passing through the community who see it. It means the world to them.”
She continued, “Both our parents, Donald Bruce and Marion Alexander, were in the Navy during World War II. Since Sam was three years old, all he wanted to do was be in the Navy because he wanted to follow in his grandfathers’ footsteps. So it's been in all of our family's generations, and it's a very important part of our family.”
The Veterans Day assembly also included choir performances of “Who Are the Brave” and “God Bless America” with Pam Edwards as the accompanist. It concluded with the band playing the “Armed Forces Medley” and again recognizing the veterans in attendance.
“Patriotism isn't just a word,” noted Ryerson. “It's a commitment to the ideals that make this country a place of opportunity and hope. Our veterans embody these ideals reminding us of the resilience, unity, and strength that they have shaped our nation. Let us show them the respect and appreciation they truly deserve as we reflect on their contributions and sacrifices.”
Learn more about the Aisle of Flags by visiting its Facebook page, emailing geneseoaof@gmail.com, or calling (309) 945-2140.
