Palos South Honors Veterans

Nearly 50 servicemen/women were honored on Friday, November 10 at Palos South Middle School’s annual Veterans Day Assembly. The service pays tribute to the parents, grandparents, and other family members and friends of the students and staff of Palos School District 118 who have served the country.

Organized and planned by Palos South’s Student Council, the program included the placing of the POW/MIA flag, remarks from student council officers and Palos Heights Mayor Robert Straz. Veterans were recognized individually by students and presented with stars from retired American flags as mementos of gratitude. The Palos South Performing Arts Ensemble sang “God Bless the USA,” and honorees also stood to be recognized as the Cardinal Symphonic Band played musical tributes to each of the service sets.

Presiding over the ceremony in his 16th year was longtime Palos resident Lt. Cmdr. Scott Allen, Ret. of the U.S. Navy whose three children all graduated from Palos 118. “I’ve been attending these types of events for 30 plus years and this is always my favorite ceremony to come to,” Allen told the crowd. “Thank you for taking the time to honor America’s servicemen and women.”

Palos VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest winners Andrew Blaha, Lim Zickert, and Kaitlyn Kenney read their winning essays on “America’s Gift to My Generation.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, trumpeter Nate Tran performed “Taps” followed by retiring of the colors by Palos Park Boy Scout Troup #699.