Ignacio High School: Salute to our Veterans

The Ignacio Elementary and Middle School choirs sang, “Freedom Song,” as the finale to the “A Salute to Our Veterans” performance; Holly Begay directed the choir.

Army veteran, Damon White Thunder and daughter Kieley White Thunder choose cookies baked by the High School’s cooking staff for the annual Veterans Dinner at the Ignacio High School

Southern Ute Veterans Association member and Navy veteran, Rudley Weaver, carried the U.S. flag during the opening ceremonies of the annual “A Salute to our Veterans.”

The sixth and seventh grade choir prepares to sing the National Anthem to begin the annual “A Salute to our Veterans.”

Southern Ute Veterans Association member and Army veteran, Gordon Hammond, posts the Colorado flag during the opening ceremonies of the annual “A Salute to our Veterans.”

Ignacio High School junior, Bird Red, recites a poem he composed entitled, “The Green Guys.”

Distinguished guest speaker for the Veterans event, 101st Vietnam Army veteran, Ronnie Baker, spoke of his enlistment and service in the Army. He also spoke of having the honor of meeting five Medal of Honor recipients. Three things he learned and conveyed, “Always be on time, do the best you can, and do something beneficial every day,” Baker said to the packed house in the Ignacio High School auditorium.

Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council members, Elijah Weaver, Jace Carmenoros, and Lexy Young (not pictured, Nate Hendren, Elliot Hendren and Sarafina Chackee), presented Ronnie Baker with a Pendleton blanket in appreciation for being the evening’s guest speaker.

Ignacio High School junior, Jariika Rarick and other Ignacio students hold one of two custom American Flag quilts donated as raffle items prior to the giveaway by Vicki and Paul Bouffard.

Tim Watts, U.S. Army veteran, was one of two winners of the custom American Flag quilts donated by Vicki and Paul Bouffard. The other quilt winner was Mark Hutson, USMC veteran.

Mark Hutson, USMC veteran, receives one of the two custom American Flag quilts from Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council member, Elijah Weaver. Tim Watts, Army veteran was the other quilt winner. The quilts were donated by Vicki and Paul Bouffard.

Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

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Fri Nov 15th, 2019 , by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

The Ignacio School District presented their annual “A Salute to Our Veterans” dinner and performance at the Ignacio High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12. A chicken dinner was served in the Commons area before the audience moved into the Auditorium for the evening’s performance. Curriculum Director, Dr. Kathryn Pokorney helmed the duties as emcee and welcomed attendees. The evening began with posting of colors by the Southern Ute Veterans Association, during the singing of the National Anthem by the Ignacio Middle School choir. Poetry was recited by Bird Red, and Elijah Weaver read haikus he wrote, then guest speaker, Ronnie Baker took the podium to speak on his service in the Army. A melody of “Armed Forces on Parade” was performed by the Ignacio High School Choir and the High School and Middle School bands prior to the finale, “Freedom Song,” sung by the Ignacio Elementary and Middle School choirs.