HASTINGS — Adams Central High School hosted a Veterans Day program that featured musical acts, military equipment and a heartfelt thank you to those who have served the nation.
The program was held on Monday, Nov. 4 at the Adams Central High School gymnasium.
Kennedy Montague, president of the student council, welcomed the student body, as well as the veterans and other guests who attended the event.
The colors were presented by the Juniata American Legion, with Ava Bonifas, an Adams Central 7th grader, singing the National Anthem.
The first musical act was performed by the United States Offut Air Force Heart of America Band – Raptor.
“Raptor, the commercial music ensemble of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, performs high-energy music from a variety of genres. Their dynamic stage presence that enables them to tell the Air Force story to audiences of all ages,” according to the U.S. Air Force website.
The band’s first three renditions included the “American Anthem,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “America the Beautiful.”
Following this, Emilia Uhrmacher, student council officer, introduced the guest speaker, retired Army Colonel Dan Lonowski.
Lonowski, in his time in the Army, served as a battalion executive officer for the 92nd Troop Command in Lincoln before he completed his career as a Public Affairs Officer and a Public Information Coordinator. Lonowski also served as a transportation specialist in Germany (Return Forces to Germany) in 1985.
In 2009 he deployed to fight in Afghanistan with the 35th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
Lonowski taught for 34 years, the last 29 in the Adams Central School District.
Prior to his speaking, a short video was played from Afghanistan where an announcement was made of an imminent rocket attack.
Lonowski said during his time in Afghanistan, he heard that automated warning 114 times. He noted that while all veterans service is different, there are often the core experiences they share. The waiting, the uncertainty, etc.
Lonowski pondered the definition of “patriot,” and “patriotism,” and to him, it meant doing all you can to make your country better and to help maintain the freedoms that we all enjoy.
Lonowski said he wanted the students to reflect on their freedoms and drew comparisons with students their age in China and Afghanistan.
On one hand, he noted China is a surveillance state, with all social actions monitored closely by the government. In the case of Afghanistan, Lonowski said the girls wouldn’t even be in school and could be maimed or killed for attempting to receive an education.
“We are truly blessed,” Lonowski said of the United States.
Lonowski turned to a personal recollection, recalling the time 25 Taliban fighters cut the wire at the NATO camp he was stationed at and attempted to infiltrate the base.
He said on his left flank were Afghan soldiers who did not want to act without orders. On the right flank were British soldiers who had newly arrived and not yet familiar with the situation.
But Lonowski said he was surrounded by U.S. Marines, who knew exactly how to handle what was going on. Lonowski said he called out for who was in charge and a Gunny Sergeant called back and let him know they had everything in hand.
After a brief skirmish, the Taliban fighters retreated the way they had come.
Lonowski said it’s not just the veterans or military members who can help defend freedom. He said even ordinary citizens can stand up for what is right in their everyday lives and help preserve this American way of life.
Following Lonowski’s address, the Chorus of the Plains, a Hastings based group dedicated to four part acapella singing in the barbershop style, sang both “God Bless America,” and “God Bless the USA.”
The group members of Raptor returned and performed the Armed Forces Melody, playing and singing the theme of each military branch, the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Space Force, Marines and Air Force.
To close, Taps was performed by Louie Eckhardt, Hastings College professor and Daniel Steinhauser, a Hastings College student.
Both Eckhardt and Steinhauser performed the haunting melody once and through a clever auditory move, the second playing sounded more distant than the first.
The colors were then retired by the Juniata American Legion.
Outside the school, military equipment had been provided for display by the Army National Guard – Greenleaf. Students from Adams Central Elementary had the chance to walk over to the high school to see the equipment up close.
