by Marc and Julie Anderson
mjanderson@theleaven.org
TOPEKA — A single place setting on a white place mat with a napkin.
An upside-down glass.
An empty chair.
Those are a few items that students at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Topeka placed on a table as part of a ceremony to honor fallen soldiers or those missing in action. The ceremony was one part of what is believed to be the school’s first Veterans Day assembly held in the gym on Nov. 11.
More than 40 veterans with connections to the school or parish participated. Hosted by the students, the assembly included patriotic musical selections by the school band and choir, a video tribute featuring pictures submitted by some of the veterans, and a short speech by Rachel Anderson, the school’s band teacher and technology coordinator. Anderson serves in the Army National Guard as the Executive Officer of the 35th Infantry Division Band.
Additionally, at one end of the gym, the school created a wall of stars with more than 400 names of men and women from the parish or school who have served or are serving in the military. The school also collected personal care items like shampoo and toothpaste for those serving in the Middle East with the 2-130th Field Artillery Battalion of the Kansas Army National Guard. Among those is Mike Rumford, father of fourth grader Brenna and kindergartner Bowe.
In her speech, Anderson told the students, veterans and parents, “I joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 2006, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Sharing the history of Veterans Day, Anderson said the holiday began as Armistice Day and was created to honor the exact time when World War I officially ended in 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
President Woodrow Wilson’s intention, Anderson said, “was to create a lasting peace after the war by remembering and honoring the sacrifices the military made during World War I.”
Kansas has special ties to Veterans Day.
“It was [citizens of] Emporia, Kansas, who initiated the idea that Armistice Day be changed to Veterans Day to recognize and honor all veterans from all conflicts and wars,” Anderson said. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law, and the first nationwide remembrance of Veterans Day was Nov. 11, 1954.
If they knew any veterans, Anderson told the students in conclusion, “You can be very proud of them today and every day. Many of them have given much to keep us safe and free.”
Near the end of the assembly, eighth graders Kian Kennedy and Noah Stewart read the names of the veterans in attendance.
But it was the ceremony to honor the fallen soldiers or those missing in action that seemed to move students and veterans alike.
Often part of weddings, military balls and other formal occasions, the White Table ceremony consists of placing a small table somewhere in the room as a reminder of the solider who will not be able to attend the occasion. The table is then covered with a white tablecloth to “honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty” and then decorated with items, all replete with meaning. For example, an empty chair is pushed next to the table “for the missing soldiers who are not here” while an upside-down glass symbolizes the meal which will not be enjoyed.
Eighth grade students, along with their second grade math and book buddies, prepared the table, while eighth grader Megan Thummel read out the significance of each item, saying it was her favorite part of the assembly.
Stewart agreed.
“The White Table was pretty cool because of what it symbolizes,” he said. It was important to honor veterans because “they’re risking their lives to keep our country safe.”
Veteran Rory Pischer, who served in the Navy from 2006 to 2010 as a Petty Officer Third Class, agreed.
Rory is married to Britta Pischer who teaches seventh grade. Together, the couple has four children, three of them students: sixth grader Izzy; third grader Gabby; and kindergartner Kayla.
Although he enjoyed the entire assembly, he thought the White Table ceremony was important because “it educated those who didn’t know.”
Likewise, veteran Mike Ahlstedt, who served 12 years in the Air National Guard and whose youngest son Jason is an eighth grader, said he appreciated the efforts the kids undertook to make veterans feel special.
“I thought it was outstanding,” he said. “It’s nice as a school that they all come together for a common purpose: to recognize veterans. . . . Most veterans are humble. This is not why we do it, but it’s still appreciated.”
