Schools honor veterans

Sequim Gazette staff

Sequim schoolchildren honored military men and women on Wednesday, Nov. 10, with special assemblies at Helen Haller Elementary, Greywolf Elementary and Sequim Middle School.

Military personnel were in attendance at each event.

At Sequim Middle School, eighth-graders Miguel Moroles and Brittany Joy spoke about being children of Coast Guard servicemen and seventh-grader Kylee Williams spoke about being an Army "brat" while her father was deployed four times.

Williams said being a part of the military family allowed her to meet new people and has been "pretty cool."

Moroles said moving to a new city is the hardest part.

Joy echoed this and said she is appreciative of the military but doesn't believe it's the life for her.

Joy's father, Chief Warrant Officer Juan Joy, spoke about his career in the U.S. Coast Guard.

"I knew it'd impact my life, but I didn't know how many others' (lives)," he said.

Juan Joy said he hasn't lost the passion for serving in the military since he joined in 1994, but he encourages students to do what they love. He recommended that students consider how many lives military personnel have saved and how many people they've seen die in action.

Veterans and current military personnel in attendance received handcrafted red, white and blue ribbon leis made by Moroles and his mother, Christy Moroles.

A musical and visual display of service men and women related to the staff and students was shown.

Caity Karapostoles, ASB secretary, spoke about special items on a table honoring soldiers missing in action and prisoners of war. Items included a round table representing the everlasting concern for missing soldiers, a pinch of salt symbolizing the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers, a chair remaining empty for those missing and more.

A moment of silence was held afterward.

Bailey Albright and Marcus Peterson played "Taps" to end the assembly.