Guest speaker United States Navy Captain David E. Koss addressed the student assembly and gathered DS veterans. Koss has flown over 100 combat missions in his career as an F-18 pilot, and is the current commander of the U.T. Austin Naval ROTC Detachment. Century News photo by John Pacheco
DS Veterans at the DSHS student assembly. Century News photo by John Pacheco
Dripping Springs High School honors veterans
On Nov. 11, Dripping Springs High School honored local veterans with a mid-day assembly which included patriotic music by both DSHS Jazz Cats and DSHS Orchestra, speeches, and lunch in the cafeteria.
“Volunteering for service is a brave and selfless act, regardless of branch or where the veteran served,” guest speaker United States Navy Captain David E. Koss said to the assembled veterans. “I want to thank [the veterans present] for answering the call to duty. The service of men and women as yourselves, has made us the most respected military in the world.”
Captain Koss is the commanding officer of the Naval ROTC unit at the University of Texas at Austin. He has flown over 100 combat missions in his career as an F-18 pilot.
Additional speakers included American Legion Post 290 Commander Ben Adair, VFW Post 2933 Commander Ronnie “Shorty” Barnett, Honor flight coordinator (and Purple Heart recipient) Ernest Banasau, and DSHS student Walter Berthelsen of the DSHS ROTC Club.
The Colors for the assembly were posted by Boy Scout Troop 101, the National Anthem was sung by the DSHS Jazz Cats, America the Beautiful was played by the DSHS Orchestra, and Echo Taps were played by DSHS band members Johnny Dollard and Natalie Chavez.
Afterwards the veterans were treated to lunch in the cafeteria where they visited with students and staff.
“I just love the sense of community I feel every year when I visit with the students,” “Shorty” Barnett said. “We as veterans always feel very welcomed here, and I want to thank the students and teachers for putting this together.”