Windham – The Windham Junior and Senior High held a Veterans Day Assembly honoring those who have served on Friday, November 11 at 8:30 AM in the high school gymnasium. There were over 30 military men and women who attended the ceremony.
The ceremony was led by former Boardman High School Principal, Mr. Lou Rucci. Rucci served in the US Marine Corps Reserve from 1970-1976. He was trained in a Combat Engineer Unit and in a Headquarters Company. Rucci retired in 2002 after working 31 years in education at Boardman High School.
The Tri-State Marine Corps 494 provided a color guard team to present and retire the colors during the ceremony. The Windham American Legion Post 674 provided the Fallen Soldier Statue, which demonstrates respect and honor for a fallen soldier since funerals aren’t always possible when fighting.
The guest speaker was James Guterba, a Canfield resident, and former administrator in the Boardman Local Schools. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1962-1966. He served in Vietnam as an M-60 machine gunner and squad leader. While in Vietnam, he served in the following areas: Qui Nhon, Chu Lai, Quang Ngai, An Hoa, and Da Nang. Guterba retired in December of 2016 after 45 years in education.
Guterba’s speech focused on sacrifice, and the great sacrifices the military men and women have made for the people in the United States. He provided details about his experiences in Vietnam to illustrate the conditions soldiers face in a time of war. He also brought artifacts from his experience for the community to view after the assembly.
The Windham Band and Choir, led by teacher Becky Kresen, graciously provided the music for the assembly. The choir sang the National Anthem, and the band played “America the Beautiful”, “A Salute to the Armed Forces”, and “Stars and Strips Forever”. Senior Jordan Prasky and Juniors Sabrina Garl, Talina Cooper, and Deidra Hankins participated in the ceremony.
