- Hinsdale Elementary held a Veterans Day ceremony honoring local service members at Dixie Heights High School.
- The event recognized local veterans, including 100-year-old Edgewood resident and WWII Marine veteran Howard Requardt, for his service in the Pacific Theater.
- Hundreds of students participated through songs, presentations, and art projects celebrating each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Howard Requardt, an Edgewood resident and World War II veteran, fixed his gaze on the large screen hanging from the wall of Dixie Heights High School’s gymnasium Tuesday morning.
Actor Gary Sinise–famous for playing Lieutenant Dan in the Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump–looked back on Requardt from the screen as he recognized the 100-year-old veteran for his heroic tour of duty in the Pacific Theater. Requardt served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry rifleman from 1942 to 1945, fighting in the historic Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
“He is a member of what we in America honorably remember as the greatest generation for the role they played in defending the world from tyranny during World War II,” Sinise said. “Millions of brave men and women answered the call to serve with soldiers, sailors, and marines fighting on distant battlefields, while others supported the war effort at home.”
Sinise honored Requardt on behalf of his namesake charity, the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports U.S. military veterans and their families. The presentation was part of a larger Veterans Day celebration hosted by Dixie Heights High School and Hinsdale Elementary. Requardt wasn’t the only veteran in attendance, as he was surrounded by dozens of veterans from multiple generations.
Gary Weaver, a local Marine Corps veteran and former spokesman for the Northern Kentucky-based Disabled American Veterans nonprofit, introduced Sinise and Requardt as ambassadors for the Gary Sinise Foundation. His speech extended to everyone present, offering a heartfelt message to all veterans and a moment of silence for those who lost their lives.
“Today, we honor service members from all backgrounds and share core values,” he said. “They possess courage, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity, all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than oneself.”
Hinsdale Principal Josh Feldmann, who kicked off the Veterans Day celebrations, expressed gratitude to local veterans for their service and contributions to their communities.
“Lastly, and most importantly, this day, or any day of freedom that we enjoy, would not be possible without the honored guests to my left,” Feldmann said. It is because of you and all of the men and women of our armed forces that make today a reality.”
Hundreds of Hinsdale students filed into Dixie Heights’ gymnasium, with each grade honoring a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces through songs, presentations and art projects.
Fourth and fifth grade students paid tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard by performing a patriotic song, while third grade students delivered a report and displayed artwork about the U.S. Navy, highlighting important ships, submarines and even oddities such as trained dolphins used for special safety missions.
Second-grade students delivered a report on the U.S. Air Force, focusing on the branch’s uniforms, aircraft, and technological advancements. After the report, they performed a song honoring Air Force veterans. The kindergartners shared what Veterans Day meant to them, describing veterans as “brave” and “fearless.” The first-graders wrapped up the ceremony by performing The Marines’ Hymn in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Weaver concluded the ceremony by reading a message from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to Requardt, thanking him for his service. Following Beshear’s message, Lucas Elam, the program coordinator for the City of Edgewood, announced that the city would issue a proclamation declaring Nov. 12 as “Howard Requardt Day.”
