Wow - look at this wonderful event organized for Reynolds High School students. Thanks to Fariview City Administrator Joseph Gall for forwarding Reynolds' Andrea Watson's email.  Please forward the information to any veterans who may wish to attend.

On Monday, November 8, 2010, students from Reynolds High School will have the opportunity to hear from five veterans, each of whom were involved in historical events. Students will hear presentations in the Auditorium and in individual classrooms from second through sixth periods.

The guest list includes:

Alex Jefferson, Tuskegee Airman serving in World War II. Marine. The Tuskegee Airman were Army Air Corps flyers from World War II. The unit was the first African American military aviators in the US Armed Forces. At the time the military was racially segregated. the Tuskegee Airman were subject to racial discrimination within and outside of the military. In 2007, members from the unit or their surviving family members received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Leo Champagne, the last surviving veteran who raised the original flag at Iwo Jima during WWII. A 42-person Marine platoon assaulted Mount Suribachi. Leo's commanding officer ordered him to carry the American Flag in his pack and to raise it when the location was secured. He dug up a flag pole with a Japanese Flag on it and attached the American Flag. He and 3 other Marines raised it. A commanding officer later ordered a larger flag to be raised. The raising of the second, larger flag went on to become a very famous photograph. Of the 42-person Marine unit, only 11 survived to leave the island.

Eight members from the Blackfeet Veterans, some of whom served in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq & Afghanistan, will attend. They wear Blackfeet war bonnets and uniforms and are the most requested color guard in the US. They presented the colors at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in Washington DC on Memorial Day.

Robert Delsi, a Marine from the Apache tribe who served in Vietnam. Robert received a Purple Heart for injuries he received during an ambush attack.

Jose Hernandez,Vietnam Veteran, Dropped out of 3rd grade and worked the agricultural fields until joining the Navy. He went back to school earning GED and the his degree in college. Mr. Hernandez will speak in Spanish.

Reynolds High School is pleased to welcome and honor these Veterans as part of the history, social studies and cultural awareness offerings. The community is welcome to attend the sessions offered in the auditorium.

Visitors and media representatives should check in at the Main Office 30 minutes prior to scheduled start to receive proper identification.

Schedule for Presentations:

Check in 8:35-8:50am for Alex Jefferson, Tuskegee Airman: 9:05 to 10am.

Check in 9:30-9:45am for Leo Champagne, Iwa Jima: 10:00 to11am.

Check in 11:55-12:05am for Jose Hernandez, Vietnam: 12:20 to 1:15pm

Check in 12:50-1:05pm for Blackfeet Veterans Honor Guard & Robert Delsi:

1:20pm to 2:10 pm

Hope to see you there. Please share with any Veterans you know.