Cook County Community Recognizes Veterans with Annual Ceremony at ISD 166
Nov 13, 2024 08:09AM ● By Content Editor
All photos by Laura Durenberger-Grunow
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - November 13, 2024
Cook County community members gathered in the Pam Taylor Gym at Cook County High School for the Veteran's Day Program. The annual event is a team effort between community members, students, and ISD 166 staff and teachers to honor any and all veterans.
The event began with the Color Guard Posting of the Colors, which included the following members:
The band, which consisted of high school students and community members, performed the Star-Spangled Banner. The Middle and High School Choir and 3rd and 4th Grade Classes led the audience in song. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
After ISD 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm welcomed veterans, their friends and family, and community members, more musical pieces were performed. The choir and 3rd and 4th graders sang Proud of Our Veterans while also signing portions of the piece in American Sign Language.
New community member Alex Gugula, a Former Marine Staff Sergeant and Executive Director of the Cook County YMCA, was the guest keynote speaker.
Gugula first addressed the auditorium by thanking Lindholm for inviting him to speak, twice. His first and immediate response was "No." However, after thinking it over, he finally agreed. Near the end of his speech, he shared that the invitation caused him to sit down and reflect on his time in the Marines, something he hadn't really done before. Being in the Marines was just "something I did, no big deal," he shared.
However, he realized that enlisting had a profound impact. Five key lessons emerged from the experience, and he continues integrating them into his daily life.
1. Career development, leadership, and growth. Gugula shared that he didn't think he would be where he is in his career without his time in the Marines.
2. Care for someone before yourself. He said he would always go to sleep or eat after his men and women had done so. He was also the first to wake up each day.
3. Love and work with people who may be completely different. Gugula said there is something about coming together with someone, despite differences, to work towards a common goal together.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff, and don't sweat the big stuff. He said he learned to laugh and find joy in the people he worked with and the situations he found himself in.
5. Learn to love something with a passion. "I'm grateful for the time I served," he said.
Following Gugula's presentation, the Band performed Yankee Doodle, followed by Armed Forces - The Pride of America! with the choir and 3rd and 4th graders (a favorite of the 3rd and 4th grade students in particular). This over-six-minute song honors all branches of the U.S. military. As each branch is featured in the piece, a flag representing that branch is raised, and veterans in the audience are invited to stand and be acknowledged by the crowd before the next one is honored.
The event ended with ISD 166 student Lucas Hackett playing Taps, and the Retirement of the Colors with the Color Guard.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - November 13, 2024
Cook County community members gathered in the Pam Taylor Gym at Cook County High School for the Veteran's Day Program. The annual event is a team effort between community members, students, and ISD 166 staff and teachers to honor any and all veterans.
The event began with the Color Guard Posting of the Colors, which included the following members:
- Robert Mattson - Commander, Air Force
- Rodney Carlson - Rifle, Navy
- Gordy Salisbury - Flag, Air Force
- Sue Westerlind - Flag, Marines
- Wayne Johnson - Rifle, Navy
The Color Guard Posting of the Colors
The band, which consisted of high school students and community members, performed the Star-Spangled Banner. The Middle and High School Choir and 3rd and 4th Grade Classes led the audience in song. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
ISD 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm welcomed attendees at the annual Veteran's Day event.
After ISD 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm welcomed veterans, their friends and family, and community members, more musical pieces were performed. The choir and 3rd and 4th graders sang Proud of Our Veterans while also signing portions of the piece in American Sign Language.
The band consisted of Cook County high school students and community members.
The Cook County Middle and High School Choir, along with Sawtooth Elementary 3rd and 4th Graders, performed at the event.
New community member Alex Gugula, a Former Marine Staff Sergeant and Executive Director of the Cook County YMCA, was the guest keynote speaker.
Gugula first addressed the auditorium by thanking Lindholm for inviting him to speak, twice. His first and immediate response was "No." However, after thinking it over, he finally agreed. Near the end of his speech, he shared that the invitation caused him to sit down and reflect on his time in the Marines, something he hadn't really done before. Being in the Marines was just "something I did, no big deal," he shared.
Alex Gugula, a Former Marine Staff Sergeant and Executive Director of the Cook County YMCA, was the guest keynote speaker.
However, he realized that enlisting had a profound impact. Five key lessons emerged from the experience, and he continues integrating them into his daily life.
1. Career development, leadership, and growth. Gugula shared that he didn't think he would be where he is in his career without his time in the Marines.
2. Care for someone before yourself. He said he would always go to sleep or eat after his men and women had done so. He was also the first to wake up each day.
3. Love and work with people who may be completely different. Gugula said there is something about coming together with someone, despite differences, to work towards a common goal together.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff, and don't sweat the big stuff. He said he learned to laugh and find joy in the people he worked with and the situations he found himself in.
5. Learn to love something with a passion. "I'm grateful for the time I served," he said.
Following Gugula's presentation, the Band performed Yankee Doodle, followed by Armed Forces - The Pride of America! with the choir and 3rd and 4th graders (a favorite of the 3rd and 4th grade students in particular). This over-six-minute song honors all branches of the U.S. military. As each branch is featured in the piece, a flag representing that branch is raised, and veterans in the audience are invited to stand and be acknowledged by the crowd before the next one is honored.
The event ended with ISD 166 student Lucas Hackett playing Taps, and the Retirement of the Colors with the Color Guard.
