In his time with the Marines, Stevens was stationed all over the world including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Philippines, and Australia, and participated in numerous operations.

“Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?” he asked the assembled NUHS students. He answered by telling the stories of two Medal of Honor winners: Lance Corporal William Kyle Carpenter and Chief Petty Officer Edward C. Byers Jr.

Carpenter was on patrol with a platoon-sized coalition force near a small village in the Marjah District of Afghanistan in Nov. 2010. Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of their patrol base when they were attacked with hand grenades, one landing in their sandbagged position. Carpenter without hesitation moved toward the grenade and shielded his fellow Marine from the blast. He was severely wounded but saved the life of his fellow Marine.

“By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service,” Stevens said.

United States Marine Corp (USMC) Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Stevens delivered the keynote speech at New Ulm High School’s Veterans Day program. Stevens asked that Veterans Day not simple be a day of remembrance by but a call to action. “It is a day when we must recommit ourselves to the well-being of veterans and their families,” he said.

Byers was a member of a hostage rescue force team in Afghanistan in December 2012. As his team approached a target building, an enemy sentry alerted fellow captors. Byers with his team sprinted to the target building. Byers was the primary breacher and was fully exposed to enemy fire, but managed to clear a path for the rescue force. Byers rushed into the room and engaged an enemy guard armed with an AK-47. He then tackled another adult male and engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle. Later, Byers would shield a hostage with his body, immobilize another guard with his hand and retrain him until a teammate assisted.

“His bold and decisive actions under fire saved the lives of the hostage and several of his teammates,” Stevens said. “By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to dusty in the face of certain death, Beyers reflected the greatest credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services.”

Stevens said there were only two examples of the many types of heroes America continues to produce.

“It is important to remember the heroism that has been demonstrated time and again by veterans from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terrorism is sometimes unnoticed by many who enjoy the security that their sacrifice has provided,” he said. “Without the formidable strength that veterans have demonstrated in war, Americans would never enjoy their daily freedoms.”

Stevens also acknowledged that the sacrifice made by veterans is also felt by their families. Many endure long separations from deployment. Military spouses must endure career interruptions, frequent changes of address, and a disproportionate share of parental responsibilities. Children deal with changes at school and separations from friends. The hardest is the uncertainty of whether or not a parent will survive their next combat tour.

The Concord Singer sing “Let There Be Peace” as part of the Veterans Day program.

“You cannot fight a war without veterans,” Stevens said. “The utopian idea of a society without war is appealing, let us not forget that wars have liberated slaves, stopped genocide, and toppled terrorists.”

Stevens said Veterans Day is not just a day of remembrance, but a call to action. He said, “It is a day when we must recommit ourselves to the well-being of veterans and their families.”

He said in an era of uncertainty and division, he believed veterans could be a unifying force.

“They come from all walks of life, representing the rich tapestry of our nation. Yet, when they put on the uniform, they become even greater power — the embodiment of the American spirit. Our debt to these heroes can never be re-paid but our gratitude and respect must last forever.”

Stevens closed by quoting President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

New Ulm High School senior Amanda Vogel performed a solo of “Travelin’ Soldier” during the school’s Veterans Day program, for which she received a standing ovation for the students and veterans in attendance.

NUHS concert band and choir performed a salute to the Armed Forces with a medley of each branch’s theme.

NUHS Senior Amanda Vogel performed a solo of the song “Travelin’ Soldier,” with Choir Director Dan Olson on guitar. The performance received a standing ovation from all those in attendance.

The program ended with a concert choir performing a selection of patriot songs interlaced with important quotes from American history including Kennedy’s “Ask Not” speech.