The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

For some reason, I always cry at the Veteran's Day Program. I thought it was because my daughter and her husband are veterans, but they have moved from Big Sandy. And I still found myself crying. It's deep within me; I guess that soldiers deserve so much more from us than a short day of honor. I think of my family's generations of involvement in serving. I often wonder how serving affected each person. I know when you do, you are changed.

I believe that the Big Sandy High School Choir does a fabulous job when they sing the Star-Spangled Banner. Their voices are so blended. They also sang Hard Times Comes Again No More. I had never heard it before, but the lyrics are haunting. These in the middle of the song were incredibly touching. "While we seek mirth and beauty and music, light and gay, there are frail forms fainting at the door. Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say, Oh, hard times, come again no more." Music teacher TJ Bond arranged this song, and Melanie Schwarzbach accompanied.

The guest speaker was Tim Sowa, who served in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. He was a sniper and went on to be a trainer. He shared about life in the service and what an honor it was for him to serve. Before the news shared it, he went on to mention that "the first woman has graduated from the U.S. Army's elite sniper school, completing the seven-week course designed to produce "the most feared weapon on the battlefield," was a woman from Montana. The Montana National Guard, to be exact. He said we should all be very proud of her achievement.

The 4th -6th Grade Choir sang Because of You. I song I also didn't know. TJ Bond said the students especially like singing this song.

After the students sat down, the Big Sandy High School Band performed the Armed Forces Medley. As each branch of the armed forces hymn was played, those in the audience stood. It was heartwarming to see the student look around and clap for each one.

The kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students created artwork displayed in the auditorium and the hallway.