Sunnyside Elementary School's Independent Parent Teacher Association (SIPTA) celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with an assembly followed by a "drive-by-and-honk" tradition to show support. Students met local veterans for a Q&A, then waved American flags to the cars passing by in hopes of getting some honks. "The kids get a kick out of each honk they hear," said Lacy Craig, co-president of SIPTA.
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School had a special presentation on Nov. 11 from Capt. Schmitt and Mrs. Sparks to witness the retiring of an American flag and learn about the significance of the stripes, the colors and the stars. The school also called attention to their Wall of Heroes, with local veterans' names and photos, near the cafeteria.
The Durango High School Veterans Day Breakfast and Assembly held on Nov 12 was a touching, respectful event. About 40 local veterans were honored at the annual event, which included a breakfast at Impact Career Innovation Center followed by DHS band and choir performances, speakers, Student Council leaders’ recounts of interviews with veterans, and military flag processions.
- The Missing Man Ceremony is a solemn tribute with a table and empty seat to honor fallen, captured, or missing service members.
- Christina Kuss delivered a tender and inspiring speech about her late husband, Capt. Jeff Kuss (cousin of cyclist Sepp Kuss), a Marine Corps pilot who lost his life in a Blue Angels jet crash in June 2016.
- Josh Hoffman, a former U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender rescue swimmer, was awarded a Medal of Honor for swimming to rescue a person whose kayak sank in Lemon Reservoir on Oct. 1.
