Thank you He-Dog Elementary, I needed that!!
By Rich Winter
Maybe it's the election coming up or the continued unrest surrounding the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota but, other than sports in my life right now, everything just feels kinda heavy. And so it was with a heavy heart and a Friday afternoon, let's just make it to the finish line kind of attitude, that I hoped to slip into He-Dog elementary yesterday, snap a few photos and be on my merry way.
Instead, a half-dozen veterans, some teachers and staff that went above and beyond the call, and a bevy of young people that sang their hearts out that I got slapped back to reality and reminded that we have so many freedoms we enjoy and a lot of veterans to thank for the WORK they've done so that we may enjoy those freedoms.
Really cool event at He-Dog Elementary as weeks and weeks of work, and effort, from everyone at He-Dog came together for a very personal and really awesome program. M.C. Pat Bad Hand lit me up with a little comedic humor as he talked about veterans, cracking a few jokes about his own service, but really setting an inviting mood for everyone. He and his Drum Group played three or four songs and Bad Hand explained the meaning of the Lakota Flag Song, which I had never heard before.
And then the kids got up on the podium with each classroom group, performing two or three songs. Now, I don't know about you, but I seem to remember spending weeks and weeks as a kid, practicing and learning songs for the Christmas service at the Lutheran Church in which I grew up in. Weeks of practicing, weeks of correcting, weeks of getting better and ultimately a performance. Haven't felt very patriotic lately and I guess hearing some young folks, in their not-so-perfect pitch belt out a few songs, just sorta lifted my spirits.
But, Friday's efforts were more than just songs, a prayer from Roy Stone Sr. and the opportunity to clap as each Veteran's name was announced. The He-Dog gym was decorated with signs and posters, and symbols of American Freedom. Some of the signs had misspelled words, which only makes it better in my opinion, because ultimately it's the thought that counts.
Every inch of reachable space in the He-Dog gym had some kind of momento, some kind of symbol, some kind of thank you and something that was truly made from the heart.
Panic Button salute to everyone at He-Dog from top to bottom...What a great event.
Panic Button salute to the Veterans...We've got a few days to get through this election and a few days until Veterans Day....make sure ya offer a handshake, or a pat on the back because judging by the smiles on the faces of the veterans and the way they received this wonderful thank you, they truly do appreciate the effort.
