KIMBALL (November 10, 2023) -- Kimball High School students, community members and veterans filled the school auditorium today to honor military veterans.

The program was organized by the Kimball High School senior class. The production included a lot of research and behind the scenes work, according to Shannen Acheson, one of the Masters of Ceremony for the event.

"We worked on it for a little over two weeks. We started with ... we watched a movie to introduce us to the whole unit. We watched 'Saving Private Ryan. It was a lot of ... separating into certain groups, figuring out who was going to do what, figuring out what wanted to do certain things,'" said Acheson.

The event was a learning experience for the students, hearing accounts from veterans who attended the ceremony.

"We got to talk to some of them, like, as they came in we got to talk to them. We get to go eat lunch with them now, and serve food to them and everything. So, we really just get to hear certain stories. Some of our teachers are veterans so we've gotten to hear their experiences," she said.

The program included a Presentation of Colors by the Color Guard, comments from Kimball County Commissioner Rich Flores, songs by the four, fifth and sixth graders, Tom O'brein singing "America the Beautiful," and Matthew Dillow as the keynote speaker.

Jasmine Gawith played Taps on the trumpet, followed by a video of area veterans.  

"I thought it was one of the best they've every had," said Bert Linn of today's Veterans Day service.

He said the speaker was "outstanding."