Kearney School District Honors Veterans on Veterans Day

This year, students, staff, and families throughout Kearney School District came together on Veteran’s Day to pay tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The day was marked by heartfelt ceremonies and expressions of gratitude across multiple schools in the district.

At Kearney Junior High, the morning began with a special breakfast in the library for dozens of veterans and their families. The gathering set a tone of appreciation and community. Following breakfast, the school held an assembly for all students. The event featured a flag ceremony led by Boy Scouts, the school choir’s performance of the National Anthem, and moving words of thanks from students to the attending veterans.

Social studies teacher and Boys Wrestling Head Coach Tyler Owen spoke about his experiences serving in the U.S. Army, including his deployment to Afghanistan where he supported a hospital unit. Sergeant Owen encouraged students to live by the values upheld by the military, emphasizing the importance of selfless service to others.

Hawthorne Elementary also observed the day with an all-school assembly. The choir performed patriotic songs, and students shared reflections about the significance of honoring veterans. Many veterans, accompanied by their families, attended the event and were recognized during the ceremony. Afterward, they enjoyed breakfast together in the school lunchroom, further fostering a spirit of appreciation and community engagement.

Throughout the district, the message was clear: honoring veterans is an important tradition that brings together people of all ages. The Kearney School District invites all Bulldogs and members of the community to join in expressing deep gratitude and respect for the men and women who have stepped forward to defend and protect the nation.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Junior High Bulldogs Honor Veterans

Kearney Junior High students and staff recognized and celebrated those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a special Veterans Day breakfast and assembly this morning.

Dozens of veterans who are also junior high parents/guardians or other family members were guests of students and staff members at the breakfast, which was held in the school library. This was the first Veterans Day event of its type at the school in recent memory, according to Principal John Goodin.

Junior high social studies teacher Alan King delivered a keynote address about his 22-year career in the Marines.

“We wanted to do something special for all of our veterans and their families. That’s important for all of us at Kearney Junior High,” Mr. Goodin said. “We also saw this as an opportunity for our students to learn more about these veterans and their selfless service.”

Immediately following the breakfast, the veterans and their families were ushered into the school gym for a special assembly with the entire student body and staff. The program started with a ninth-grade band performance of the song, “Salute to the Armed Forces,” the Presentation of the Colors by members of Boy Scout Troop #397, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by the school Chamber Choir.

Several students recited names as part of the Missing Man table presentation. Junior high teacher Daniel Roberts read a list recognizing the veterans who were guests at the event.

Junior high social studies teacher Alan King delivered a keynote address about his 22-year career in the Marines, which included deployment to Iraq and service in the Defense Intelligence Agency. He talked about why it’s important to honor veterans and encouraged all students to consider public service in the military as a career option.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.