Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice, the student body of Winamac Community High School participated in a moving and remarkable observance Friday morning (Nov. 9), beginning with a silent walk from the high school to the courthouse, and concluding at the Memorial "Swinging" Bridge in the town park. The students each carried a banner with a photo of one of over 500 Pulaski County Great War soldiers, including 34 Gold Star soldiers who died in the war. Brief ceremonies were held at the courthouse and Memorial Bridge. In this photo, the middle school students wave flags as the high school students begin their walk - led by Jada Collins carrying the U.S. flag. PulaskiPost photo

The special program was organized through the collaboration of the Town of Winamac with the aid of community members, teachers, students, the Pulaski County Public Library and additional volunteers.

Following the signing of the Nov. 11, 1918 agreement to end combat in The Great War, "Armistice Day" was celebrated on that date for many years - and later was re-named as "Veteran's Day," commemorating all veterans. This year, through the United States World War One Centennial Commission, many opportunities have been given to communities around the nation to celebrate the end of the war once called, "the war to end all wars." Centennial celebrations will be documented and recorded in their archives.

Friday's local celebration included much preparation by students and teachers. The United States History classes kicked off this celebration by inviting other classes to participate in researching biographies of Pulaski County WWI veterans. The project expanded to a school-wide effort with freshman and sophomore English classes, junior U.S. history classes, and senior government classes all researching veterans and creating a biography for each of Pulaski County's 500-plus World War I veterans, along with allowing students and staff to add any veterans to the celebration from their own families as well.

Students have had guest speakers including Pulaski County Historian Karen Fritz, and Sue Caldwell from the Indiana Genealogical Society. They helped prepare students for the often daunting task of researching their selected veteran. Collectively, students have spent innumerable hours of research, utilizing technology and multiple resources to find military information about their veteran.

All of these efforts culminated in the celebration held Nov. 9.

The photos and biographical information gathered on the county's World War I soldiers will be given to the Pulaski County Historical Society.

 

The itinerary for the Friday, Nov. 9 event was as follows:

  • A Winamac Community Middle School Veterans Day Program began at 9 a.m. All middle school students were provided with a flag from the VFW to wave on campus as their program concluded and the high school program began its procession of 300-plus students and faculty carrying banners with the image of their WWI veteran and a paper poppy to represent all Pulaski County veterans of World War I and any additional veterans who have been selected by students or staff to honor from their own families. The procession was in block formations, led by representative veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and current veterans.
  • The procession followed the school's safe-walk zone and proceeded up Market Street to the backside of the Pulaski County Courthouse - in silence, out of respect for all veterans. The procession also had a military percussion cadence provided by the WCHS Band. Shuttle buses were provided for students, staff, or veterans who wished to participate, but who could not walk,
  • At approximately 9:55 a.m., the procession arrived at the Pulaski County Courthouse and gathered around the memorial on the northwest corner of the lawn. Main Street was blockaded to accomodate the participants from the corner of Market and Main streets to Monticello Street (U.S. 35).
  • The ceremony at the courthouse ran from approximately 9:55 to 10:20 a.m. From there, the procession proceeded to the Winamac Town Park. Arriving in the park at approximately 10:40 a.m., the program concluded at the Memorial "Swinging" Bridge which was built in the 1920's to commemorate those Pulaski County soldiers who fought so bravely. At the Memorial Bridge, a poem was read and commemorative photographs taken. A special bagpipe performance brought the event to a close.
  • Shuttle buses then returned to WCHS, along with all students returned to the school for lunch. Veterans were invited to share lunch with the students.
  
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Local News Briefs

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Survey deadline May 17

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Post News

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Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

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