The ISDB honored Veteran’s Day in a unique ceremony In November. All the students and staff gathered together to meet and listen to some special guests. One of our teachers, Jamie Ashmead, is the mother of veteran who served in Iraq and just returned from his deployment about a month ago. She shared with the ISDB students and staff a little about the difficulties of having a family member serving far away in a dangerous situation. Her son, Steven Coyne , came to the special ceremony, too, and the ISDB honored him. Another local Gooding veteran and special guest, also recently returned from serving in the Middle East, Henry Lozada, spoke to the students about his experience serving in the military and being far away from family. The final speaker was Diana Rowe, whose brother, Alan Rowe, had attended Gooding High School, and was killed in the war in Iraq in 2004. She shared about her brother, his life, his service, and his sacrifice.>

After the special speakers, all the students and staff went outside for a ceremony to honor all the Idaho soldiers who have been killed in either the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts. There are 38 Idaho soldiers who died in these conflicts. An American flag was prepared for each of these soldiers who paid the ultimate price in serving their country; a name tag was attached to each flag showing the soldier’s name, picture, age, date of death, and hometown. Several students took turns reading the names, ages, hometowns and dates of death for each soldier. After each name was announced, the flag for that soldier was planted in a raised flower bed outside the school building. A flag, including a yellow ribbon, was also planted for Bowe Bergdahl, solider from Hailey, Idaho, who remains missing in action.

It was a solemn and quiet ceremony that caused all of our students and staff to pause and reflect with thankfulness for our veterans and those who continue to serve our country in the military.