Area veterans honored at Wash High
Students act as ceremonial honor guard members during Monday’s Veterans Day observance at Washington High School. Each branch of the military was honored with a flag. From left are Dalton Fonner, Jordan Mooney, Taylor Ellis, Andrew Mercer, Julianne Rotunda and Tiarra Campbell.
Members of the Washington High School band play “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in the high school gymnasium during Monday’s Veterans Day observance. After the ceremony, students lined up to shake the hands of veterans in attendance.
Members of a Navy color guard based in Pittsburgh prepare to present the colors to the students, faculty members and veterans gathered Monday at Washington High School to observe Veterans Day. The gymnasium at the school was filled with about 900 people.
Lawrence Morgan, 87, looked around the gymnasium at Washington High School and was reminded of his service in World War II.
“My shipmates reminded me of these students,” Morgan said. “We were all so young.”
About 900 students, faculty members and local veterans attended the Veterans Day program Monday that highlighted the sacrifice of vets like Morgan, who served aboard the USS Princeton.
The presentation included a bagpipe performance by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Blachley and a keynote speech by retired Air National Guard Brig. Gen. William J. Boardley.
“No one disdains war more than a warrior,” Boardley said. “But I think you’ll agree what a treasure it is to live in a free county. For that, you can thank a veteran.”
The Washington High band played “The Star Spangled Banner” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” while a projection of a giant flag waved in the background.
Student volunteers also contributed to the program by rehearsing the pledge of allegiance and carrying flags representing the various branches of the armed services. Trumpet player Ethan East performed taps.
Marsha Pleta, Washington School Board treasurer, said while some school districts got the day off, she felt it was important students be exposed to Veterans Day observances.
“Our students need to realize what our veterans sacrificed for their freedom,” Pleta said. “We are so blessed to live and laugh and love in freedom. I think all the people here know that. I remind them never to let it go unnoticed what the veterans have done for us.”
Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi read a letter from the family of a Marine veteran of WWII who had attended last year’s festivity but passed away in April. The scene emphasized the importance of honoring the remaining veterans from the “greatest generation” as their numbers begin to dwindle.
Morgan went down with the Princeton after it was sunk by a Japanese bomber in the battle of Leyte Gulf on Oct. 24, 1944. Morgan had to tread water for more than four hours before being rescued.
It was a good thing he could swim, because he rasied seven children and is directly responsible for 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Like Morgan, Joe Nicolella, 97, joined the war effort after attending Washington High School and became a part of history. As a member of the Army’s 28th Infantry Division, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
“Everybody would like to be a veteran but can’t,” Nicolella said. “I’m grateful I went through it and came out alive. It helped me to be a better person.”
The Battle of the Bulge took place around Christmas 1944 and was one of the most harrowing encounters fought by U.S. forces during the war. Nicolella said he sometimes remembers the battle during the holiday season and is thankful to be home.
“We were surrounded by Germans in the Hürtgen forest,” Nicolella said. “It was so cold. We were trying to decide if we were going to fight or surrender, but we had nothing left to fight with. I even lost my helmet while we were dodging the Germans. We just wanted to get out, and finally we hit a spot in the woods where there were no Germans.”