Raising the flag during the Veterans Day Ceremony at LaVille Jr.-Sr High School were Robbie Dieterly and Denis O’Brien. Pilot Photo/Carol Anders

By Carol Anders Staff Writer
LAKEVILLE — Instilling patriotism and respect in the hearts and minds of students in area schools is a responsibility that educators continue to take seriously.
La Ville Jr.-Sr. High School Principal John Arnett said he feels remembering our veterans is absolutely necessary. Arnett himself is a veteran having served in the Army Special Forces.
 LaVille seniors held a ceremony on Monday morning that included patriotic numbers by both the high school band and the madrigal singers. The event was organized by LaVille Social Studies teacher Lee Dennie.
Dennie said, “Remember that there are 170,000 troops in Iraq.”
Chelsea Roose and Caleb Miller presented short readings on the history of the beginnings of the Veterans Day holiday.
The American flag was placed on the flag pole by Robbie Dieterly and Denis O’Brien. Dieterly is in the process of becoming an Eagle Scout and O’ Brien has already made a commitment to join the Army upon graduation next summer.
As the flag was flown, junior Ashley Young played “Taps.” According to her mother, Ashley is very proud of the military service of both of her grandfathers. Her paternal grandfather, Harold Young, was at the Battle of the Bulge and her maternal grandfather, Lavern Hovarter, served in the Korean War.
Monday, school started as it does every day with a moment of silence and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Also attending the ceremony was Union-North School Board President Larry Ort. Ort retired after 22 years as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force.
Schools in the Plymouth system, Riverside Intermediate, Washington Elementary and Menominee Elementary, held ceremonies as well as most other schools throughout the county.
Boy Scouts who attended Washington Elementary presented the American flag.
Student Council members at Menominee Elementary read a Veteran’s Day proclamation, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and gave an overview of Veteran’s Day. Principal Michael Dunn said, “Our program was more about having students learn about the history of Veteran’s Day and getting our future leaders (student council) involved in the process.” 
A program is scheduled for Nov. 16 at Jefferson Elementary. According to Principal Robert Remenih, Veteran Julian Keiser will be the guest speaker. Student participation will be members of the student council, Jefferson choir, and a reader’s theater entitled “November: A Time of Thanks and Remembrance in America.”
The program will begin at 1:30 p.m.