Local veterans and their families were honored Monday as LFHS hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony in the Raymond Moore Auditorium. Each year, the school partners with the Lake Forest American Legion Post 264, a local organization dedicated to implementing “the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends and families.”
The ceremony was led by Student Body President Kat Yakes and nominated senior Sohil Purohit. The ceremony included performances from choir and band, speeches, awards to students, and the local Veteran of the Year award.
For the opening remarks of the ceremony, Principal Dr. Erin Lenart gave a speech commemorating the sacrifices made by veterans and the support given to them by their families and loved ones. As a spouse of a U.S. Army veteran, she said she has gained a “unique perspective on the dedication, resilience, and quiet strength” that is required for those who serve for our country.
“It is deep in my gratitude for the sacrifices not only of veterans themselves but also of their families who walk alongside them every step of the way. Our veterans have a story, a journey of courage and a legacy of service,” Lenart said. “As we honor them today we recognize that our depth of gratitude to them is immeasurable. To each veteran, we are profoundly grateful.”
Along with showing gratitude to veterans, Lenart said LFHS is committed to embodying the values of our veterans: courage, integrity, service and selflessness.
“Today we encourage our students to reflect on these values, to understand what it means to serve something greater than oneself, and to carry forward the legacy that our veterans have created,” Lenart said.
Each year, the Lake Forest American Legion choses one of their members to speak at the event. Carl Kirar, a retired U.S. Navy Commander and Lake Forest community member, shared his insights about how students can honor and thank veterans for their service, as well as the history on why the day is so important to acknowledge.
In Kirar’s words, Veterans Day is a time to not only remember the sacrifices of those who have served, but an opportunity for everyone to “reflect on values in our own lives, especially, honor, courage, commitment, and service to others.”
“As we recognize their service, it’s important to note that some of them come with many different experiences, some visible wounds while others carry invisible ones,” Kirar said. “It’s all of our responsibility to dedicate our respect to them. This involves simple acts of kindness, listening to their stories, and even advocating for resources that are necessary.”
In regards to respecting and expressing our gratitude to veterans, Kirar said “every gesture truly does count.”
“As you go about your day, I encourage you to reflect on what it means to serve. Veterans’ bravery paved the way for the freedom we have today, and as we honor them let’s continue their legacy forward by embodying service in our everyday lives,” Kirar said.
For senior Sohil Purohit, Veterans Day holds deep personal significance as the child of two U.S. Navy officers. He was chosen to give the closing remarks of the ceremony, expressing his love for veterans and his personal connection to the holiday.
“I know the pride, the uncertainty, and the void that comes when seeing your loved ones carry on their military duties. I learned early on that service is not just a job, but a way of life. It means putting the needs of others before your own, even when that requires spending time away from family,” Purohit said. “I remember the times my parents would have to leave, and the emptiness that would fill our home in their absence. However, through that void there was always resilience. A quiet and powerful strength that they stilled in me, the one who waits at home.”
Veterans day to Purohit is a day to “reflect” on the strength of veterans, not only the hearts of those who served but also the families that “stand behind them.” The day is a reminder of the “common sacrifices” the families of veterans make every day.
“Today as we honor those sacrifices, let’s commit to understanding the deep, personal cost of service and support our veterans in every way we can. On this veterans day, I’m immensely grateful for my parents, who taught me that bravery is not the absence of fear but to face it,” Purohit said. “To all our veterans and their families, thank you. Your sacrifices for our great nation do not go unnoticed, and will never be forgotten.”
Annually, the Lake Forest American Legion Post 264 awards a veteran from our community with the Veteran of the Year honor. This year, they chose Steve M. Rickmeier, a retired U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant. Due to his absence at the ceremony, his granddaughter, Abby Rickmeier, was invited to the stage to receive the award on his behalf.
Rickmeier served in 1971 and 1972 in the 1st Cavalry as a helicopter pilot from Laos to Cambodia. He has been a long time resident of Lake Forest and member of the American Legion.
Along with the Veteran of the Year award, the American Legion annually sponsors an art contest to allow LFHS students to showcase what Veterans Day means to them. Contest winners receive a prize and will also have a donation made to an LFHS organization on their behalf.
Third Place: A painting created by Gabrielle Burke that portrays an American flag, capturing the spirit of our nation. In her words, she describes the blue flowers as representing America’s core beliefs and values, forming the foundation of the country. The gentle white details across the petals stand for the diversity that strengthens and enriches us. Bold red stripes symbolize our nation’s history, courage, and sacrifice.
Second Place: Digital art created by Lia Bastianelli that honors her grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran. She describes the drawing as a combination of her favorite photo of her grandfather, along with photos that he took while stationed in Greenland.
First Place: A painting created by Lily Lamp that is rich with patriotic quotes from prominent leaders in U.S. history. The poppy fields at the bottom symbolize the nation’s foundation, with words like bravery, sacrifice, honor, and hope.
Within the ceremony, LFHS Band performed songs representing each branch of service. Members of the audience, veterans or family members of veterans, were invited to stand and be recognized when the band played the song representing the branch of service in which they served.
Student Body President Kat Yakes led the ceremony with “great honor” and was grateful for the experience.
“Being able to speak and represent LFHS at such an important ceremony was a wonderful opportunity. Having family members who are veterans, also made the service so much more personal and special to emcee,” Yakes said.
