Veterans receive standing ovation at Advance ceremony

Marine Sgt. Richard Bollwerk, the keynote speaker at the Advance Veterans' Day Ceremony, instructs C.J. Seger on the proper manner in which to fold the flag.

The Advance RIV gym came to life Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, as children and adults expressed their gratitude to local veterans with a standing ovation at the annual Veteran's Day ceremonies in Advance.

Guest speaker Sergeant Richard Bollwerk, a retired U.S. Marine and member of USMC League of Cape, defined a veteran as anyone who served their country in the armed forces, whether in combat or in support of the troops. He gave his listeners guidelines in how to honor the veterans, from visiting veteran's retirement homes, to simply saying, "Thank you for your service."

A high point of Sergeant Bollwerk's presentation was the demonstration of the proper way to fold the flag. The sergeant, an educator, directed his comments to kindergarten, high school, and adult listeners.

The kindergarten class gives the Pledge of Allegiance.

"Our Marine Honor Guard performs approximately 125 funerals a year," Sgt. Bollwerk explained, as he completed the thirteen folds in the ceremonial flag.

Others taking part in the solemn ceremony were masters of ceremonies, James Hamlin and Terry Bryeans of the history department at AHS, student Richard Nixon, III, who gave the invocation, Mayor Carl Ritter, CMDR Jim Edwards, VFW Post 7750, and Erin Robinson, who gave the closing prayer.

High school student C.J. Seger presented High School Principal Shana Kight with a flag which his father, Dan Seger, on civilian assignment in Afghanistan, had sent for the presentation. The flag had been flown over Afghanistan on 9-11-13.

Advance Boy Scout Troop #23 and Cub Scout Pack #23 lead the Pledge of Allegiance, assisted by their leader, Melody Trout.

Advance Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop #23, led the Pledge of Allegiance, under the direction of Mrs. Melody Trout.

Again this year, the Advance kindergarten choir, under the direction of Mrs. Allison Page, sang a rousing version of "Thankful for the U.S.A.," complete with enthusiastically waving flags.

Mrs. Page also directed the high school choir in a moving rendition of "In Flanders Fields."

The kindergarten choir sings "Thankful for the U.S.A."

The high school band, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Bagot, played the national anthem, and two members of the band played TAPS at the end of the ceremony.

Josh Johnson was recognized for his 21 years of service in the U.S. Navy.

The Stoddard County Honor Guard presented the colors for the event.

The ceremony was held on Friday, as Advance Schools were not in session on Monday, Nov. 11.