• Article Photo. Elementary students salute 'The Grand Old Flag' during the Veterans Day assembly.
    Elementary students salute 'The Grand Old Flag' during the Veterans Day assembly.
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  • Article Photo. Lexi Druger presents flowers to veterans during the annual Vets Day assembly for all VS students.
    Lexi Druger presents flowers to veterans during the annual Vets Day assembly for all VS students.
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  • Article Photo. VSHS students listen as 2005 grad Kyle Brewer discusses the role of soldiers in keeping them safe.
    VSHS students listen as 2005 grad Kyle Brewer discusses the role of soldiers in keeping them safe.
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  • Article Photo. Matt Lash and Jacob Bunge play taps during the assembly.
    Matt Lash and Jacob Bunge play taps during the assembly.
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  • Article Photo. FFA members Riley Ries and Caleb Svoboda present checks to Vinton and Shellsburg Legion commanders.
    FFA members Riley Ries and Caleb Svoboda present checks to Vinton and Shellsburg Legion commanders.
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  • Article Photo.
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There was a time, Kyle Brewer told the Vinton-Shellsburg student body, that veterans were mostly senior citizens with unique hats containing service pins and the names of ships.

But, now, said Brewer, a 2005 VS alum who has served in the Middle East, veterans are frequently just a year or two out of high school.

Brewer, the son of Chris and Steve Brewer, was the speaker during the annual VS Veterans Day ceremony. It’s the one time of the year that the entire student body gathers in one place.

“It’s a great way for us to give back to the community,” said Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock.

Brewer joined the military at age 17 and was named the Iowa National Guard Soldier of the Year in 2007, told the audience of K-12 students, teachers and veterans of “the gift of aggression.”

Using the sheep and sheepdog metaphor, Brewer spoke of how a society needs “sheepdogs,” or those who are willing to kill, in order to keep the sheep safe.

Also, he said, the “sheep” prefer not to think about what the sheep dogs have to do to keep them safe.

Brewer also shared a list of things soldiers have to give up in order to serve in the military.   

The VSH Student Senate led the event, and presented flowers to a few dozen veterans who joined the ceremony.

Choirs from all grade levels also sang songs of tribute to those who have served.