Veterans Day, the day we honor all veterans who served in times of war and peace. Veterans day, originally Armistice Day, marking the end of WW l which ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
This tradition of honoring veterans during school at the McCoy Auditorium began in 2018. Students can not only meet but shake the hand of a veteran.
The celebration began Monday morning with veterans Rusty Wharton and Brian Barrett presenting the colors followed by the flag salute.
The “National Anthem” was performed acappella by Crescendo, the fifth and sixth grade after school choir club, directed by elementary music teacher, Alyssa Banning, followed by the fifth and sixth grade choir performing “We Honor You.”
High school principal, Josh Houston, read the names of former Bulldogs who are now serving in the military. 2019 graduates, Reese Hart and Jason Hart, Army; 2020, Aiden Rash Army; 2021 Uriel Diaz, Army, 2023; Charity Maune, Army Reserves; Karen Solano, Army; Emmitt Cooper, Marines; and 2024 Gilberto Duran, Army Reserves.
Houston introduced guest speaker, retired U.S. Navy Captain Mark Grissom. “He has sat in the same seats you are sitting in; starting from the same place all of you are, and is a remarkable testament to what hard work, perseverance, and integrity can achieve.”
Grissom was born in Syracuse November 14, 1948, to Grady and Naomi (Miller) Grissom, who both were born and raised in Syracuse. Grissom added, “My dad’s father farmed in Hamilton County from the early 1900s and my mother’s father was postmaster in Syracuse, so I have very deep roots here in Syracuse.”
His summers during high school and college were spent helping his father on the family farm north of town. “I drove a tractor at fourteen years of age and continued until I went into the Navy,” said Grissom, “I learned a lot from my dad about working hard, being honest and doing a good job whether anybody was watching you or not and those lessons served me well.”
Graduating from SHS in 1966, he had his sights set on becoming a dentist while attending Kansas University, pursuing a degree in microbiology. He recalls December 1969, when the United States implemented the draft. “Every college student was sitting in front of the television praying their birthday would not come up.”
“My number was 129 which meant I was going to the military, regardless of what I wanted to do. I did not mind going to serve, but I did not want to get pulled out before I had my degree,” said Grissom. “There was no way to escape it, unless you were physically unable to serve, or you left the country.”
“As luck would have it, two Navy officers came to our fraternity house and showed a movie of aircraft carrier landings and takeoffs,” said Grissom, “I thought that looked better than getting drafted and going to Vietnam, so I went to sign up in the Navy!”
He graduated with his degree in 1970 and entered Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in October 1971. He was commissioned an Ensign in March 1972. “I was fortunate to transition to the F-14 Tomcat in 1975, which is the star of the movies Top Gun released in 1982 and 2022.”
He made six deployments on aircraft carriers during his 26-year Navy career, flying in the F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat while amassing over 4,000 flight hours and 1,000 carrier landings. He reached the rank of Captain and was privileged to command two F-14 Fighter Squadrons and was Commander of the Pacific Fleet Fighter Wing in San Diego, California.
He told two sea stories, the first was in 1983 while flying off the Dwight D. Eisenhower, in the Mediterranean Sea. “I came back to land, lowered the arresting hook (a.k.a. tailhook) and I thought I flew a pretty nice approach to the carrier.”
When he touched down, he said everybody who had a radio was screaming at him to add power and go around. “I knew I had flown a good pass; I should be in the wire stopping, but the I learned the tailhook ripped out of the airplane, the cause was maintenance error.”
The following year, his flight was a late afternoon launch, a night recovery and while climbing up in the clouds, his aircraft was hit by lightning, “That happens,” said Grissom, “The plane was flying ok, but did hear a thump!”
He learned that one of the drop tanks which carries extra fuel was missing, “In holding, getting ready for the approach, it’s pitch-black dark by now, we were struck by lightning a second time, right in front of me, which blinded me, as one might imagine when you are struck eight feet in front of you!” explained Grissom.
“I’ll admit it scared me for a few seconds, all the warning lights were going off, the one that caught my eye told me the right engine had flamed out and was not running, but we were fortunate and got it running,” he said.
Adding, “I believe that is the only instance of an F-14 being struck twice in the same flight, which may explain why my hair is not as dark as your principals!”
Grissom explained that the average age of the 5,000 people on an aircraft carrier is around 19-20 years old. “And you have forty-year-old guys like me flying,” adding, “I say this with great respect, the young man or woman on that flight deck, directing me, tying down the airplane with chains, refueling, fixing what is broken, are highly trained by the navy and work their butts off.”
Grissom met his wife Jeri while in port in Palma de Mallorca, Spain in 1976. They were married in Detroit, Michigan in 1978 and have two children, Christy, an operating room nurse in Colorado Springs, and Mark Jr., a Commander in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Grissom retired from the Navy in 1998 while stationed at United States Space Command in Colorado Springs. He then worked for a small defense company for four years, then joined The Boeing Company in 2003 and retired from Boeing in December 2013.
He stressed that the military will increase discipline, focus and instill a sense of responsibility toward your job, your fellow shipmates or soldiers and more importantly, maybe, instill a great sense of pride.
“Regardless of which service you might join, you will be away from home, may very well likely go to foreign ports, but that will expand your horizon, and broaden your awareness of other cultures,” said Grissom, “It was a real awakening for me.”
Each student, staff and guests had the opportunity to come to the front of the auditorium, shake the hand of the veterans and thank them for their service. The veterans then walked through the lower-level halls of the elementary school where the students were waving a small flag and giving them high fives.
Honoring the veterans continued in the evening with the annual appreciation supper at the Veteran’s memorial building, with 16 veterans and family members in attendance.
The Great Hamilton County Treasure Hunt ended on December 8 at 10 am when Aaron Plunkett and team solved the mysterious location of the buried $2,000.00. The hunt arranged by Jim Barrett had many teams signing up online to receive clues by mail. Barrett said, “I sold... [More]
The Herndon Gym was filled with excitement for the annual Alumni Scrimmage Saturday, November 30. Admission was a donation to the Hamilton County Food Pantry and fans could enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and homemade desserts with proceeds to benefit the basketball program. ... [More]
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced Scott Goodheart of Pratt, Kansas became the Director of Officials. Goodheart serves in the role that Francine Martin fulfilled during the 2022-23 school year, the first year for this position at the KSHSAA.... [More]
Brandon Batchelor is a husband, father, and grandfather who was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ... [More]
Jen Castro is the Junior High Football Coach, Head Softball Coach, Powerlifting Assistant Coach, Elementary Interrelated Special Education teacher, and now can add the honor of being awarded the Athletic Hall of Honor Award from her alma mater Bethany College. ... [More]
Darrell Gene Dikeman II (Gene), has recently been named the Kansas Bankers Association’s 2024-2025 chairman. The mission of the KBA is “Together we support our member banks and bankers with leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit the communities and customers... [More]
Pictured Front - Asher Battin, Monroe Kuder, Brynnleigh Bennett, Aytzel Zapata, Emma Simon, Janney Velarde, Katalyna Perez, Bentley Simon Back - Ana Aguilera, Sean Michealis, Vance Keller, Anita Ramos, Deysy Miramontes, Haley Forest, Matt Bennett/photo by Michele Boy
Rhonda Hedberg is a busy woman. She is an SHS grad who went to school in Hutchinson, came back home, and started a family. She and husband Tim have five children - Kylie Good, Kelly, Keith, Kegan, and Kelsey. She has been a Daycare Provider for over 30 years, and manages Sunflower... [More]
Here is my countdown. 12 days to Christmas Eve. How are you feeling? Stressed? I know a lot of people including myself that are being pushed to their limits it seems. Where holiday music and lights were once comforting, they don’t seem to be enough. What... [More]
It’s December. My tree is up! The lights on the roof light up the night for me along with our outdoor decorations. I am still struggling that it is December. While I have many presents already purchased, ornaments hung on the tree, I can’t quite get into... [More]
It’s one week until Thanksgiving. How did that happen? Next week’s paper will go out early so that is likely my weekend job. I am thankful I can do some of that work from home. We had some flurries of snow on Tuesday that got me very excited for... [More]
Monday was a perfectly cold, crisp, fall morning. Colorful leaves falling filled the street with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Gentle rains fell and a breeze blew in. I loved it. It felt like a moment when all was right with the world. There is an 80% chance... [More]
It is the last day of October. I love the changing colors of the leaves. They stop me in my tracks. Absolutely gorgeous! There is rain in the forecast. Even if it is a mist, I am ready for moisture! The clocks turn back on Sunday. It will be darker earlier and start... [More]
It rained in Hamilton County this weekend. Thunder boomed and rain soaked the ground, the fields, and put smiles on many faces in town. Conversations in rural ag communities after a rain start off happier. “Hey, it rained.” We have a week without sports... [More]
It’s a cool October morning. It’s weather I love! I read something that said you should never begin a story with the weather. Well where we live it is the basis for almost everything. Temperature, climate, frost, wind, all determine how a farmer will approach... [More]
On Tuesday afternoon I drove to southeast Colorado to watch my daughter cheer at a junior high football game. I smile at the things I do that I wouldn’t have done before she was born. I have said before I was not a cheerleading type of person but watching... [More]
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Rohn Kester, 59, passed away on Friday, December 6th, 2024 in Trenton, Nebraska. He was born at the Hamilton County Hospital on February 22, 1965 in Syracuse, Kansas. The son of Thomas and Betty Kester, he grew up in Syracuse where he attended Syracuse High School... [More]
Charles “Carl” Gould was born on May 18, 1956, to Dennis and Karleen (Helfrich) Gould in Syracuse, Kansas. He grew up in Syracuse, where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1975. After graduation, Carl worked for various farmers in the area but... [More]
Vaughn Chamberlain, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Harlowton, Montana, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. He was born at home on September 21, 1930, in Syracuse, Kansas, the son of Artimus & Evadee (Craven) Chamberlain. Vaughn... [More]
Raymond Lewis Henry, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, November 23, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. Raymond was born in Chariton, Iowa on July 22, 1930, to Guy Martin Henry and Nellie (Curtis) Henry. At three years of age his family moved... [More]
Darrel Glen Cook, 62, of Syracuse, KS passed away peacefully in Garden City on November 20, 2024. He was born July 24, 1962 in Syracuse to William and Leota Cook. Darrel grew up with a big family on the family farm. He played football in school and graduated in 1980. Darrel was... [More]
Graveside funeral services for Max Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Holly, Cemetery in Holly, Colorado. Max Shane Williams was born August 21, 1940 to Roy O. and Thelma L. (Hager) Williams in Wellington, Kansas and went... [More]
Julie Ann Lewis. What was in a name and in a life? Julie is derived from the Latin name Julia associated with qualities such as youthfulness, beauty, and vivacity. It is associated with a person who is gentle, kind-hearted and a strong sense of loyalty. Ann is a derivative... [More]
A graveside memorial service for Celinda Barrett will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Coolidge Cemetery in Coolidge, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Celinda’s family invites those in attendance to join them at The... [More]
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.