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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Isabella High School honored veterans during a presentation on Nov. 12.

Veteran John Murray was this year’s guest speaker.

Murray acknowledged the wives and children of veterans who were present, saying that they have also made sacrifices for the country.

“Isabella has a tremendous history of serving our country,” Murray said.

He said there are may who had walked the same halls as the current students who had served their country.

Murray said records show there are 19 million veterans.

“We owe our nation’s veterans a debt we can never repay,” Murray said. “… We must honor them with deeds not just words.”

One way to do this are thanking them for their service.

“You have no idea what that means to them,” Murray said.

He said “taking full advantage of all your rights that they have defended and fought for” was another way to thank veterans.

Murray encouraged students to vote when they are old enough, “mentor your children, represent your country well when traveling abroad, live your lives and be good Americans. Then the veterans will be happy to know that their sacrifices were not in vain.”

“Live your life well as productive citizens should,” Murray said.

Information about many local veterans was shown on a screen during the event.

A Missing Man Table display was set to the side of the stage to honor those who were Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

Mackenzie Ratliff read the explanation of the symbolism of each of the items on the table. Ratliff said the tradition of setting the table began at the end of the Vietnam War.

The empty chair represents that the soldier cannot be with those present.

“The white table cloth represents the purity of their response to our nations call to arms,” Ratliff said.

A candle represents hope that those missing will be found. A slice of lemon represents “their bitter fate,” Ratliff said.

Students in the school’s Historical Society sang patriotic songs to close out the event.