BY DOMINIC MARION
The Memorial Day senior assembly on May 30 honored those who served the United States of America in its armed forces. With the event came the honoring of the graduating students of the Class of 2024 who plan to enter the military after their senior year.
When all of OBHS’ seniors sat down in the auditorium, a Memorial Day-focused video played on the room’s projector screen. It showed the harsh sacrifices U.S. soldiers made to defend their country while shining light on the how their loved ones handled their absence. “It was to honor all the brave men and women who fought for our country,” said student speaker Naomi Rivera.
Afterwards, student speaker Julia Gervase went onstage to speak more about a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. She went over the hopes and dreams of Benjamin Moulton, Jack Casey, Miguel Nava, Donovan Davis, Alex Langen, Kennedy Sanders, William Jerome Rivers, Breonna Alexsondria Moffet, Nathan Gage Ingram, and Christopher Chambers, who were killed on duty. When Gervase mentioned each hero, a faculty member opened an empty chair on stage to recognize and remember their ultimate sacrifice. “Nowadays, Memorial Day is just another free weekend to people without the thought of why. Veterans who gave their life and served our country are more forgotten today and less noticed,” said Marine Corps enlistee Joseph Shammas.
When Gervase finished speaking, another video played, detailing a more personal story of how the family of Seargent Michael Prince of the Oklahoma National Guard handled his death on duty. The video also explained how fallen soldiers arrived home for their funerals, a process called the dignified transfer of remains. “It a was a reminder to appreciate the sacrifices made for our livelihoods,” said Army enlistee Danny Kim.
When the second video ended, Guy Lassen, a former Marine who organized the event, spoke on stage about how hard soldiers work to keep all Americans safe. He mentioned that due to all the people signing up for armed service, the United States does not need a draft as it has at times in the past.
Gaby Malanga, Julia Mikucki, Rivera, Xavier Alcorn, and Isabella Pelizza De La Cruz announced the eight OBHS seniors entering the military. Matthew Kubasek and Jacob Kok enlisted in the Air National Guard, Eloi LaTouche and Danny Kim in the Army, and Ryan Dorsey, Luke Lombardi, and Joseph Shammas in the Marine Corps. “I thought of it as a way to be recognized as one of the few people in OBHS joining the military. Most people in our school chose to go to a college or pick up a trade, but the ones that stood beside me up on the stage that day made the decision to pursue a different career path,” said Morrison.
Every student entering the military got invited on stage, and after the last student took their spot on stage, Lassen directed them to say a pledge certifying their allegiance to the U.S. President, binding them to follow his orders and the orders of everyone of a higher rank than them. “It was a proud moment, and I’m sure everyone else on stage felt the same,” said Kim.
Right before everyone left for their next class, a patriotic and inspiring music video showed on the projector screen. The Class of 2024 took out their phones, turned on their flashlights, and swung them side to side in the air. “I saw it as a testament to honor those that have fought for our country in the past and to congratulate those that will be serving our country in the future,” said Kubasek.
Posted on 6/18/24
Photos by Dominic Marion
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