This year on Veterans Day, Orono students, staff and various members of the community honored the veterans at 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11. The school decided to host this ceremony during fourth hour because it starts at 11:00, the same time the treaty was signed to end World War II in 1945.

The ceremony included the Orono band playing various hymns to help honor the armed forces and speakers to honor the vetrans. Maurean Banvige, Air Force member and mother of Orono students, was the chosen speaker at the Veterans Day event.

Banvige stated, “Veterans Day is a day to honor all that have served and the sacrifices they have made. There are a lot of sacrifices that people don’t realize.”

Banvige also ran the Marine Corps Marathon with her husband to honor Veterans Day and helped raise money for a local family whose son was killed in Afghanistan. Banvige planned to take the money to the family that evening on Veterans Day.

According to Navy veteran Gleen Fredeen, “We need to pass on patriotism to the next generations or else it will be gone.” Veterans Day means a lot to him, and he believed Veterans Day is to honor all those that have fallen, even the ones that we never knew.

Veteran Commander Gary McPherson uses Veterans Day to remember family that served before him. “When I look at the flag, I see it waving back,” stated McPherson.

Army veteran Bob Hardin was honored to be able to come to Orono High School for Veterans Day. He had six grandchildren go to Orono, so it was close to home for him. He hopes that Orono continues to recognize the veterans.

Hardin said, “Veterans Day means remembrance for all wars from the beginning to today, both male and female; they are what keeps this country free.”

Jenna Golden is the Marketing Manager and Steph Urness is the News Editor of The Spartan Speaks