Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Veterans Day speaker urges H-M-S students to fulfill their civic responsibilities
American Legion members stand at attention during the program.
Legion member Mike Donnenwerth salutes the flag at the conclusion of Friday's Veterans Day program.
Jeremy Ten Kley address the audience.
H-M-S Elementary students performed a patriotic selection during the Veterans Day program.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn alumnus Jeremy Ten Kley's military service might span two decades, but the command sergeant major knows you don't need a uniform to be a good citizen.
"Live your life as good Americans," he told the Veterans Day crowd last Friday at the H-M-S Event Center. "Then, all veterans will be proud their sacrifices were not made in vain."
Ten Kley enlisted in the Army National Guard in October of 1995 while still in high school at H-M-S. His dedicated service has allowed him to climb the ranks over the past 22 years, and he currently serves as the Command Sergeant Major of the Nebraska Army National Guard's 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade headquartered in Lincoln, Neb.
Ten Kley said that while very few people intend to serve over two decades in the military like him, they could still honor the nation and its veterans by volunteering in their community, voting and fulfilling other civic responsibilities.
"We owe our nation's veterans a debt that we can never repay," he said. "But we can and we should remember them, what they did and why they have to be brave for us."
Ten Kley noted that whether people are willing to admit it or not, veterans have been the main contributing factor in ensuring the American way of life for generations.
"There's no denying the contributions of our nation's veterans have played a large part in making our nation what it is today," he said. "In some ways this whole building stands in part because of the sacrifices of our veterans. I guess you could say veterans make our whole life possible."
Last Friday's program was hosted by H-M-S students, who saluted local veterans with musical selections, a slideshow and other remarks. Ten Kley said the annual show of gratitude reminds veterans they are appreciated.
"Celebrating Veterans Day is not just for old folks and your parents," he said. "Fortunately, this nation has been blessed with millions of Americans who've taken their civic responsibility seriously and have taken up arms, marched to the sound of guns whenever and wherever the rights of men and women have been threatened."
