Wapakoneta Middle School celebrated and honored veterans on Wednesday during an afternoon assembly. Many veterans were in attendance, including a 93-year-old World War II veteran.
Army Captain Whitney Lee Cissell was the keynote speaker. Among performing other duties, Cissell has worked as an operations officer at Fort Hood in Texas.
Cissell's message to the students surrounded character. She used the film Saving Private Ryan as an example. Ryan was the last male survivor in his family, and in WWII that meant he had to return home. She spoke of how Ryan was told to earn the sacrifices made by those trying to save him.
Veterans were presented with thank you letters. The assembly also included plenty of singing and music performed by the middle school band, as well as both the high school and middle school choir.