An audience of students, teachers and veterans watched as Century Middle School students in uniform brought to life the history of U.S. military branches Tuesday.
From the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the students stood, for the most part, in authentic uniforms. They recited elements of the conflicts, honoring the men and women who served in the military during the periods.
The American Legion Honor Guard and the Star of the North Marine Corps League served as assistants and an audience.
Retired teacher Charli Cohrs, who's now serving as a substitute, wrote and directed the epic presentation, inspired by her father who spent three years in a Japanese prison camp.
Cohrs has long revered the history of the military. She was named after a friend of her dad who was killed Dec. 8, 1941 just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
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Her grandmother, she said, had two sons in prison camps during World War II, a third stayed home to tend the farm.
"It's a passion," she admits.
The script for next year's presentation was already gelling in the English teacher's imagination when the students took a bow. "I'm hoping this becomes tradition."
The idea for the historical presentation was forming for years, she said. With retirement looming, Cohrs decided the time had come.
The uniforms, adding a dramatic credence to the performance, have been acquired from a variety of sources.
Coming from a military family, many are heirlooms. Cohrs also shops garage sales and heads to Bearly Used. In some instances, students provide the garments.
This is the fourth year students have stood before a solemn audience, reminding them of, in many instances, the ultimate sacrifice made by military personnel.
Students are forewarned: conduct unbecoming an officer will not be tolerated. They'll be dishonorably discharged.
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But it's rarely an issue, Cohrs said. The students embrace their roles, even with minimal rehearsal time.
Veterans Day, the young patriots, armed with fresh insight, honored the U.S. Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Air Force.
Flags were waving (and tears were welling) as the audience joined in to sing "God Bless the U.S.A."
