North Tama Social Studies teacher Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Hoskey (third from left) is pictured with members of his eighth grade class last Thursday morning during the Veterans Day breakfast. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama students experienced Veterans Day this year through the eyes of a familiar face — their teacher.

North Tama Social Studies teacher and 2006 South Tama High School graduate Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Hoskey is in his first year of teaching but is certainly not new to celebrating Veterans Day as an active Sailor with the U.S. Navy Reserve who has experienced two deployments.

Mr. Hoskey was the guest speaker during the district’s Veterans Day assembly held in the Redhawks’ gymnasium beginning at 9:30 a.m. Earlier that morning, Mr. Hoskey’s eighth grade class served a free breakfast to local veterans prepared by North Tama’s nutrition staff.

To the best of Mr. Hoskey’s knowledge, this was the 10th year for the event. Members of both the eighth grade and 12th grade classes worked on the event’s planning for more than six weeks which included several student speeches and a flag folding demonstration. The eighth grade class also composed and sent letters to Veterans.

As the guest speaker Thursday morning, Mr. Hoskey, a Navy intelligence specialist, addressed both area Veterans in attendance as well as the entire seventh through 12th grade classes.

North Tama senior and National Honor Society President Clay Hershberger (center) pictured with his grandparents Judy and Russell Adamson following the Veterans Day assembly last Thursday, November 11 in the Redhawks’ gym. The Adamsons traveled to Traer from their home in Apple Valley, Minnesota to hear their grandson speak during the assembly as well as to commemorate Russell’s years of service with the U.S. Marines. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

A selection of Mr. Hoskey’s speech is printed below.

“Veterans Day is a special holiday and honors all of those who have served and serve in the United States military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. World War 1 was fought by many countries over five years. … The Great War ended in 1918. … In 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — that’s 11 o’clock on November 11th — the warring countries signed an agreement called an Armistice that brought the war to an end. … On that day people throughout the world were happy and celebrated because no one else would get hurt and die in the war and loved ones would be coming home. People went out into the streets and danced and laughed and blew horns and whistles and sang songs. … I spent 23 months deployed and I have to tell you the worst part wasn’t the deployment itself, the worst part was being away from my family. … Right now as we gather here today, thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard are on the job around the world — protecting America — while their families wait as patiently as they can for them to return. … For those Veterans here today, please share your story with others. … The more we talk about what we do — the more impact military service has on our lives — the better we’re able to hold up the example of excellence. … I share the pride you feel in being able to say you have served the greatest military in the world. … May God bless our Veterans, may God bless all those serving in harm’s way, and may God continue to bless America.”

North Tama Concert Band member junior Grace Lidgett (right) performs Taps alongside her instructor Mrs. Channing Halstead (behind Lidgett) to end the Veterans Day assembly held last Thursday morning in the Redhawks' gymnasium.

North Tama’s eighth grade class hosted more than 50 Veterans and their family members for break- fast in the MPR last Thursday morning ahead of the secondary school’s Veterans Day assembly. Veterans from across Tama County and as far away as Apple Valley, Minn. were in attendance for both the meal and ceremony.

North Tama Social Studies teacher and U.S. Navy Reserve member Joseph Hoskey (second from right) chats with local Veterans alongside eighth grade student Owen Hatcher (right) during last Thursday’s Veterans Day breakfast. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

It was an early start to Veterans Day last week at North Tama Schools for Mr. Joseph Hoskey’s eighth grade class who served up a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage to area veterans and their family members including the Clutier American Legion Post 453 Commander Rich Wiebbecke whose Legion cap is pictured.

North Tama Concert Band instructor Channing Halstead warms up her students ahead of the band’s performance during the district’s Veterans Day assembly held in the gymnasium last Thursday morning. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Veteran Keith Erickson (holding microphone) of Clutier introduces himself and provides his military service during North Tama’s Veterans Day assembly held on Thursday, November 11 in the Redhawks’ gymnasium. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Veteran Russel Adamson of Apple Valley, Minnesota (holding microphone) introduces himself and his military service during North Tama’s Veterans Day assembly held on Thursday, November 11 in the Redhawks’ gymnasium. Adamson and his wife Judy are the grandparents of North Tama’s National Honor Society President Clay Hershberger who spoke during the assembly. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Bri Lorenzen (left) with Eikamp Insurance Agency dishes up pasta salad onto the waiting plate of Veteran and former Eikamp Insurance owner Kevin Eikamp (right) during the agency’s second annual free Veterans Day meal held in the Dysart Community Center last Thursday afternoon. Eikamp Insurance owner Pete Eikamp was also serving (center back, red shirt), as well as Mayor Tim Glenn (second from left) and Wendy Wieben (third from left), both with the agency. Between dine-ins and takeout meals, Pete estimated the turnout this year to be around 100. The chicken for the meal was made by Bobby Torres with Bobby’s Grocery & BBQ, while the party potatoes were prepared by Cara Glenn.

Also in attendance for the meal was Dysart American Legion Commander and Veteran Fred Koch (pictured with Kevin Eikamp) who stayed to chat until the last meal was served. Photos by Ruby F. Bodeker