Effingham fifth graders salute area veterans

Nov. 10—Area veterans received a warm welcome at Central Grade School in Effingham Friday as veterans, parents and school staff watched the school's fifth grade students take part in this year's Veterans Day program.

Central Grade School Principal Todd Schuette spoke during the program, which took place in the school's gymnasium, and introduced the guest speaker for the Veterans Day celebration, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Josh Layton.

"We're here to honor our heroes and to remember their achievements, courage and dedication," Schuette said. "We're here to say thank you to our veterans."

According to Schuette, Layton currently works as a Veteran Service Officer in Effingham and surrounding counties.

"Prior to becoming a Veteran Service Officer for the state of Illinois, he attended Eastern Illinois University, majoring in business administration," Schuette said.

Layton graduated from Cumberland High School in 2006 and attended Lake Land College before he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and traveled to San Diego California for boot camp.

In November of 2007, Layton went to serve in Okinawa, Japan.

"While serving in Japan, he was deployed to Korea as well as Iraq in support of Iraqi Freedom," Schuette said.

Schuette said Layton would go on to marry his high school sweetheart, Jenna, while he was stationed in South Carolina, and he was deployed to Afghanistan not long after in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After spending some time serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Layton returned to the United States in 2016. Schuette said he has a "passion for assisting his fellow veterans and their families," something that attracted him to the role of Veteran Service Officer.

"He currently serves in the Marine Corps station in Fort Sheridan, Illinois," Schuette said.

During his speech Friday, Layton reflected on the immeasurable impact the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks had on the United States.

"On Sept. 12th, 2001 we showed as Americans how patriotic we were," Layton said.

He told the crowd that patriotism is something expressed through action rather than simply an idea, and he encouraged attendees to thank veterans for their military service.

"It's something that you show, that you prove," Layton said. "You don't have to serve in the military to show you're patriotic."

Layton emphasized just how much being recognized means to veterans who put their own lives on hold to serve in the military.

"They may not walk as fast. They may not be able to stand up as tall as they once were, but at one time in their lives, they were going to give up their today to give you their tomorrow," Layton said. "Such a small word goes so far."

Layton also told the crowd about his friend, Marine Lance Corporal Anthony Denier, who died while serving in Afghanistan.

"Every December, I send flowers and an email to his mother," Layton said. "His mother is a voice of strength and reason. It's a little emotional, but I'm willing to share that with you to let you know what we go through."

Layton concluded his speech by asking the crowd to simply remember the sacrifice he and all veterans have made for their country and its citizens.

"We're not asking for much," Layton said.

Several veterans attended the program Friday, including U.S. Air Force Veteran Joe Eckert, the father of Central Grade School fifth grader Levi Eckert who, along with other students from the school's fifth grade student council, set a white table in remembrance of the men and women of the military who have lost their lives, remain missing and those who are being held in captivity.

Eckert spent his time in the Air Force at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.

"I was in north Georgia my whole three and a half years," Eckert said.

After watching the program, Eckert said he particularly enjoyed the Armed Forces Medley, which was led by students from the school's fifth grade general music class.

"It was awesome," Eckert said. "They did a good job."

Another Air Force Veteran in attendance, James Glover, served in the military from 2007-2011.

"I was stationed in Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico," Glover said.

Glover is the father of Central Grade School fifth grader Sebastian Glover and shared his thoughts on Friday's program.

"I thought the white table was really cool," Glover said.

Also during the program, Schuette read essays from several students who won their classroom's Veterans Day contest, and a welcome home video was played for Vietnam War Veterans.

The color guard for the program was provided by American legion Effingham Post 120, VFW Post 1769, Marine Corps, DAV and Edgewood American legion post 1168.

Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com or by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300132.