BHS honors veterans

With all the pomp and circumstance of a victory parade, the Bremerton community was invited Tuesday, Nov. 8 to celebrate the service and sacrifices of American and other Allied veterans during an assembly at Bremerton High School.

A quartet from the school choir opened the ceremony with a performance of “America the Beautiful,” followed by a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the full body of the chorus backed by the orchestra.

The Navy Girls danced and twirled to “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” followed by a disciplined drill team with a few tricks up their sleeves.

A guest speaker addressed the crowd with memories of the handful of conflicts the nation has seen in his lifetime.

Army Col. Ken Hegtvedt, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, graduated from West Bremerton High School in 1969 which he called “a tumultuous time in our country’s history.”

“I lost classmates. They were personal friends,” Hegtvedt said. “They became casualties of that war. I attended college with veterans. Many are still dealing with the invisible wounds of that war.”

Hegtvedt also addressed the current global war on terrorism.

“Some of these veterans are the children of my friends or friends of my children,” he said. “Each of us is profoundly touched by the sacrifices of service. Above all, veterans love our country and its freedoms.”

Guests also heard from a British war veteran now living in Kitsap and a reading of a partial list of the numerous men and women who have served in the Armed Forces that graduated from BHS or its two predecessor high schools.

Hegtvedt had some simple advice for those who would choose to truly honor veterans on Friday’s holiday.

“Take the time to thank them and their family for their service,” he said. “The best way to honor their sacrifice is to sacrifice some of your time.”

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