By Staff
Kirk, Taylor are focus of Veterans Day service
By TED STRONG
Staff Writer
At Monday’s Veterans Day Ceremony at Bath Elementary School, school administrators marked the addition of two names to the list of those lost in battle.
It’s not something officials have had to do much in recent decades.
Johnathan Kirk, a marine, and Joel Taylor, a soldier, both died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A prayer was led by Mike Shutak.
Melissa Dana recalled having Kirk in her class. She said he was reserved, until he was having fun with his friends, when his personality shined through.
Brian Swain recalled Joel Taylor’s time at the school, saying he always wanted to be the first to get somewhere and always wanted to help out.
The ceremony also honored veterans who returned home after their wars.
Assistant Superintendent Crystal Ange told the veterans their service to their country would act as an example “that inspires a new generation of freedom’s defenders.”
A small chorus of students sang “In This Solemn Moment” by Tony Krantz. Student Sarah Jackson sang the national anthem and the Northside High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps presented folded flags to Bath and Northeast elementary schools and performed a silent 21-gun salute.
Jack Wallace, a retired principal, spoke about all veterans, and read the names of the dead from World War II.
He lamented the experiences the war dead never lived to have, such as raising families and growing old.