Veterans' Day Assembly and the Voice of Democracy

November 11 is a day to honor those who have served in the U.S. armed forces, and to remember those who did not come home. For many, this day is a day of deep patriotism, reflection, and, for some, mourning.


Originally called Armistice Day, as it is the anniversary of the armistice called at 11:11 on November 11, 1918 that ended the fighting in World War I, the day was named Veterans Day on June 1, 1954 in order to honor all veterans.

Every year, in honor of those who set aside their own wants in order to defend our country, Sparta High School holds a Veterans Day assembly starting at approximately 9:15. As it typically goes, the assembly was led by English teacher Julie Ender. The Vocal Jazz and SHE groups performed the National Anthem, followed by the presenting of the colors by the Wisconsin Challenge Academy.


Several students who joined the military were recognized. These students were Zach Anafeld (U.S. Army, E-2 Private), Christa Bollig (U.S. Army, E-2 Private, stationed at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri), Cody Degner (U.S. Marine Corp, stationed in San Diego), Clinton LaBeause (U.S. Marine Corp Recruit, stationed in San Diego), Dennis Richard (U.S.) Marine Corps Recruit, stationed in San Diego), and Angela Woodman (U.S. Army E-2 Private stationed in Missouri).

Assistant Principal Dale Stafslien, with the assistance of the SHS Symphonic Band, performed "Duty. Honor. Country.,"a speech given by Five Star General Douglas MacArthur to the cadets of West Point in 1962. This speech has ranked alongside President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address as a moving public speech, perhaps one of the greatest ever given.

However, the main event of the assembly was the guest speaker, Lieutenant Colonel John Blaha, best known to the students of the high school as Mr. Blaha. Having returned from a two-year tour of duty in the Middle East just this past spring, Mr. Blaha is not technically a veteran as he is still on active duty. He spoke quite a bit about honor, a trait which seems in short supply in this day and age. The several times he had to pause to regain his composure only added to the powerful impact of his speech.

When Mr. Blaha finished, the Symphonic Band played the service medley. The first bit of the medley, "The Army Goes Rolling Along," sounds like the Spartan school song. There is a reason for that. Sparta is a military town, due to the close proximity of Fort McCoy. It would make sense that our school song was taken from the Army's official song.

The assembly ended with the Vocal Jazz and SHE groups performing "In Flanders Fields" followed by Jessica Kasten performing "Taps" on the trumpet. Several Vocal Jazz and SHE students voiced their concern for the quality of "In Flanders Fields", as many of them were crying. Needless to say, the assembly was a highly emotional deal for the majority of those present.

"A former student of mine was one of the first to die over in Iraq," Mr. Stafslien said. "He was a Marine."

After the school's assembly, Sparta High School students Leanna Leverich, Nikki Naumann, and Angela and Tara Woodman attended the VFW Veterans Day assembly. These students had participated in the Voice of Democracy scholarship and placed first in different VFW posts. Leanna Leverich took first at the Sparta VFW Post. Her speech focused heavily on politics and education, expressing well-thought-out ideas for the future of our nation.