Holmes County-area veterans get all-star honors at West Holmes High

MONROE TWP. − Veterans from all branches of the service turned out for a breakfast celebration and some interaction with students and other vets at the first Veterans Day breakfast sponsored by the West Holmes History Club Friday morning.

Bobby Angle, who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 68 in the U.S. Army, said he was one of the lucky ones.

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"I was glad to get home," Angle said. "My brother got shot up pretty bad. He lost his leg.

"This is really nice what they're doing here," he said of the event held in the commons area at West Holmes High School. "It's nice to visit with some of the youngsters."

Robert Benjamin said he enjoyed sharing his experiences with the students, who seemed genuinely interested in hearing their stories. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-'69 on an aircraft carrier.

"I love this," said Jim Wolfe, who noted he also had attended a program for veterans the previous day in Killbuck. Wolfe served in the Army in Vietnam in 1968-'69.

"We're treated a little differently now than when we came back," Wolfe remembers. "I was treated like a dog back then. People called me a baby killer, and things like that.

"For 30 years I never talked about my experiences over there," he continued. "Then one day I was walking into a store, wearing my Vietnam veteran hat and some little boy walked up and said, 'Thank you for your service.' Everything kind of changed for me right then."

Wes Maxwell, a 26-year veteran of the Air Force, retired in 2007. His service included three trips to Saudi Arabia, as well as a pair of deployments to Turkey. He appreciated the warm reception he and the other veterans received from the students at West Holmes.

"I really enjoyed it. I felt safe the whole time I was in," Maxwell said. "Nobody ever shot at me or anything like that. I never felt like I was in danger.

"This is really nice to be able to come out and have breakfast with them," he added, noting he also enjoyed the event at Killbuck Elementary School on Thursday. "It is fun to get together with other vets and reminisce; talking with other people who were in different places during different times, but shared a lot things in common."

Army veteran Don Huebner said he also appreciated the opportunity to socialize with other veterans and meet with the kids.

Gene Leyda, a 22-year Army veteran said this was the first time he came to West Holmes High School and he's lived here nearly 60 years.

"This is really something," he said. "It's awfully nice what they have done for the veterans here."

Vietnam veteran Larry Gilt said he enjoyed the experience, plus it was nice to see his granddaughter at school.

Tom Conley served in the Army for nine years (1979-'88) before being medically discharged.

"I loved it. I'd still be in if they hadn't kicked me out," he said with a laugh. "This is really nice what they're doing here.

Air Force veteran Richard McCune (1969-'73) also expressed his appreciation for the breakfast and visit with the students.

Veterans enjoy student presentation

West Holmes school board member Andy Jones was among the special guests invited, along with State Rep. Darrell Kick and Holmes County Commissioner Dave Hall.

"I appreciated seeing the interaction between the students and the veterans," Jones said. "I think the History Club did a wonderful job putting this event together."

Those sentiments were shared by West Holmes High School Principal Scott Pringle, as well as the other distinguished guests.

History teacher and club advisors Nick Gerber and Carly Positano (intervention specialist) coordinated the event, which was catered by Snow Side Restaurant in Killbuck.

Gerber said it was a successful event despite the steady rain throughout the morning that didn't dampen the spirits of the guests. Many people worked together to make it all happen.

He reported more than 80 RSVPs, and there was a steady flow of veterans visiting from before 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Several students donning umbrellas escorted veterans into the school from the parking lot.

Members of the History Club, FFA, National Honor Society, Ohio Mock United Nations, high school band, Tracy Chance and Melissa Slauson's classes helped serve, visited with the veterans and worked on clean-up after the event.

Middle School and elementary students made table decorations and wrote notes to the veterans. And the custodial staff and high school office crew also pitched in.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Holmes County veterans honored at West Holmes High event