VIDEO: Chief Sealth IHS Veterans’ Day assembly features Class of 1965’s tribute to fallen heroes

Members of the Chief Sealth Class of 1965 have officially presented their alma mater with the plaque we first told you about in September, in honor of Sealth graduates who lost their lives while serving their country.

It happened today at the school’s Veterans Day assembly, where, above, Sealth ’65 graduate and Navy veteran John McElroy was the spotlight speaker. He served in Vietnam in the ’60s while in the Navy and recently retired from the Merchant Marine. He spoke about the importance of service, and said he knew some of those whose names are on the plaque. Along with reading those names, he spoke of meeting Sealth’s current teachers and students, and said that if the young people he’s met are the future, we have nothing to worry about. One of those students, Mahala Provost, sang the National Anthem – listen!

Sealth’s flag team performed a routine set to “Stars and Stripes Forever“:

And the assembly concluded with a student-created video, with some students talking about family members in the military, and some faculty/staff members talking about their time in the service. (The official observance of Veterans’ Day, November 11th, is next Wednesday, and school will not be in session.)

WSince86 November 6, 2015 (10:30 am)

What a great tribute. Mahala, you have a beautiful voice!

Amy E. DeGraaf November 6, 2015 (1:09 pm)

Thank you. My dad was Dick DeGraaf and he was shipped to Vietnam a month before I was born and KIA 6 months in. That was in 1968. About 12 years ago, I ran across a web site entirely by accident and the leading story for the site described – in detail – the day my dad died.

It was written by a currently disabled vet who had switched places with my dad that day. I contacted him by phone and when I told him who I was – he cried. He cried so hard. The guilt he carried was so huge. He asked if I was “OK.” I said, “Yes, I’m OK. It’s all OK.”

The list of young men under the Vietnam column is too damn long!

Cil November 6, 2015 (6:15 pm)

Amy, I am in tears after reading your comment. I do hope you’re ok and that you gave your dads friend closure that day. You are lucky to have a hero for a dad.