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North Tama hosts Veterans Day breakfast, assembly

‘The freedom we enjoy was hard won’

Three generations of Podhajsky-Stoakes men were present at North Tama’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast held on Monday, Nov. 11, in the district’s multipurpose room (MPR) ahead of the 9 a.m. program including (l-r) U.S. Navy Veteran David Podhajsky of Traer, Podhajsky’s son-in-law Adam Stoakes of Clutier – a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps – and Podhajsky’s grandson (Stoakes’ son) Liam Stoakes, a North Tama sophomore and two-year member of the Civil Air Patrol Black Hawk County Composite Squadron’s cadet program. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Iowa Army National Guard Veteran Amber (née Ingle) Monat, left, pictured alongside her maternal grandmother, Jacquie McCully of Traer, and her daughters – North Tama senior Ava Monat, second from right, and seventh-grader Josie Monat, right – during the North Tama Veterans Day Breakfast held on Monday in the MPR. McCully’s husband, the late Gary Michael McCully served four years with the U.S. Navy after enlisting in 1957 following his high school graduation. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama High School students pause for a brief photo while hosting the district’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast in the MPR on Monday, Nov. 11. Those pictured include (l-r) history teacher Quentin Lamb, sophomore Kahlia Even, junior Drayke Dvorak, sophomores Madeline Kucera and Harper Rausch (front row), junior Max Monat, sophomore Liam Stoakes, and Principal Taylor Howard. The breakfast was sponsored this year by several local businesses including Champion, Farmers Savings Bank, Appraisal & Real Estate Services, Joe Morris–State Farm Insurance, Spanky’s Restaurant and Catering, Chelsea Savings Bank, North Tama Telegraph, and Hometown Foods–Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Members of the North Tama Choir perform “America the Beautiful” (arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram) on Monday, Nov. 11, in the high school gym during the 2024 Veterans Day Program. In addition to the stirring performance by the choir, the North Tama Band also performed, skillfully playing both “Hymn to the Fallen” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama trombonists Calleigh Staker, left, and Joshua Lasley, right, deftly perform taps on Monday, Nov. 11, in the high school gymnasium to close out the annual Veterans Day Program. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – North Tama County Community School District held a Veterans Day breakfast and program on Monday, Nov. 11.

High school students along with K-12 Principal Taylor Howard and high school history teacher Quentin Lamb served close to 40 people in the MPR beginning at 7:50 a.m., after which an assembly took place in the high school gymnasium beginning at 9 a.m. Speakers this year included Principal Howard and student body president Johnny Cochran.

As part of his opening remarks, Howard said: “We recognize the sacrifices of our Veterans extend far beyond the battlefield. They serve as a reminder of resilience, dedication, and courage … Whether they serve in times of war or peace, each Veteran has contributed to the safety and security of our nation. … Let us remember that the freedom we enjoy was hard won. … We are privileged to be surrounded by Veterans on this day and we are truly honored by their presence. … Thank you for your service and sacrifices and the example you set for us all. Your bravery and courage continue to inspire generations.”