Monday, November 11, is Veterans Day, and to honor local veterans, Southside held a Veterans Day Assembly. The assembly honored Southside staff who served in the armed forces, as well as Fort Smith veterans. The assembly included a visit from Fort Smith Mayor George McGill and guest speaker Colonel Nicholas Ihde. Southside students were also very involved in the ceremony, with Southside Orchestra playing the “United States Armed Forces Medley,” JROTC presenting the flag for the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the choir singing the national anthem.

     “It’s really important for students to be active in these assemblies to see the importance of veterans in their everyday lives,” said sophomore Allie Weaver.

     Colonel Nicholas Ihde is the 85th Fighter Group Commander at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base. He and his team train fighter pilots from around the globe at the local Air Force base in Fort Smith. Idhe spoke about veterans he knew, such as Colonel Edward Hubbard and Major Ben Meier, who had taught him important lessons throughout his career. Idhe mainly discussed the importance of veteran’s service, as well as the importance of younger generations being active in the armed forces. 

     “It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you look like, what your background is, you make the conscious decision to have a good attitude. If you go into every challenge that you have and conquer it, you will be able to do whatever you want,” said Colonel Nicholas Idhe.

     The Veterans Day assembly concluded with words from the principal, Jeff Prewitt, thanking the veterans in attendance for their service, Colonel Idhe for his speech, and the Mayor for his help in organizing the assembly, as well as others who made the assembly happen.