Disappointing Veterans Day program coverage

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I was disappointed in your coverage of the recent GISD Veterans Day Program. Other than a blurry picture, a picture of the cheerleaders and a photo of the back of an unidentified veteran, there was no reported coverage of the event. There was no mention of the Guest Speaker, his message to over 1,300 students and over 100 veterans and their families who attended. Very little was done to depict the meaningful symbols of this solemn event. In fact there was nothing written at all to accompany the meager photos in any way.

The guest speaker was a retired Air Force colonel who travelled halfway across the country to be in Gonzales. He left his job to be here on a school day, travelled very late into the night and spent his own money to fly here. It took many people and great effort to organize this patriotic program and I feel you did little to share this with your readership.

I want to express my appreciation to the Superintendent of Schools for her annual efforts to bring Veteran's Day observances and appreciation to the front of our students' minds. For the past 5 years, Dr. Strozier has invited speakers from the various services to imprint the importance of our veterans' contributions and sacrifices to our students. One year, she arranged a static display of the Apache helicopter (named for our very own Apaches!). It was flown in and available for viewing on the football field during the ceremony. This would be an amazing story to report how the Apache helicopter came to be named from our little town.

In addition, our brand new Junior ROTC Detachment was front and center at the ceremony this year. The unit presented the colors and stood at parade rest during the ENTIRE ceremony. Dr. Strozier was the impetus behind the difficult task of achieving this unique honor and having this unit established at our little high school! We are so proud of them and all the students who took part in this huge undertaking!

Certainly newsworthy, I think you did a great disservice to our community by not fully reporting on the scope of this event.

Chris Weaver

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