ABOVE: The K-2 Granada-Huntley-East Chain Choir on stage singing Patriotic songs during the school’s Veterans Day program on Monday.

GRANADA – Granada-Huntley-East Chain (GHEC) had several musical numbers, a 20-year Marine veteran, and a Veterans slide show during its Veterans Day celebration on Monday.

Superintendent Doug Storbeck served as the master of ceremonies, thanking everyone for attending.

“It is a time for each of us to reflect on the immeasurable contributions made by veterans across generations,” he said. “From those who served in times of war to those who safeguarded peace, these individuals have faced incredible challenges, endured hardships and demonstrated resilience, all in the pursuit of something greater than themselves.”

The GHEC Middle School band performed “Court of the Noble Trumpeteers,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “God Bless America.” The K-2 choir danced while singing “Yankee Doodle,” “Let’s Sing America” and “The Spirit of America.”

Fairmont Veteran Toby Verastegui was the guest speaker. He served with the Marine Corps from 1974-94, starting as a recon Marine in Hawaii. He said his cousin, who enlisted when he was 11, was one of his inspirations growing up. His family members had been in both the Air Force and Army, so he was not sure which branch to join.

“I had expressed my interest since I was young,” Verastegui said. “I could do about anything at that time. People encouraged me to do a tryout for the Recon team.”

At the time, Verastegui said he had thought boot camp was the hardest work he had done. However, he said trying out and doing work as a Marine Recon soldier blew that out of the water.

In his reconnaissance career, Verastegui made 63 jumps out of airplanes and helicopters. He recounted an accident while rappelling out of a helicopter.

“I fell 16 feet straight down,” he said. “I bounced three times off the asphalt. For five days I had no movement from the waist down. After that, I had movement in my toes.”

After spending 14 months at Quantico, Verastegui said Marine Court had given him the option to either be a drill instructor or a recruiter. Seeing how demanding being a drill instructor was, he decided to transition into recruiting.

Verastegui capped off his speech by saying military life brings a lot of camaraderie. At a branch reunion three years ago, he said people picked up conversations like no time had passed even though the last reunion was 30 years prior.

To end the ceremony, everyone was invited to join in and sing “America the Beautiful” as one whole unit. Attention was also drawn to the board, where the veterans of area families and students were recognized for their service.