The Daily News

Wahpeton Schools Superintendent Mike Connell revealed to the school board Wednesday a project he has put together honoring Wahpeton High School students who have sacrificed their lives serving their country.

The war memorial will be unveiled in a Veteran's Day assembly at the high school gymnasium, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Student council members will speak about each of the 30 soldiers featured in the memorial.

"I've thought for a long time that kids, particularly at the high school level, don't fully appreciate sacrifices that have been made for them by veterans," Connell said, adding that it may not necessarily be their fault.

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Qualifications were the student must have attended Wahpeton High School and been killed as a consequence of serving in any branch of the United States military.

"What I set out to do is find out who those kids were," Connell said.

Connell set out to find military photographs of the soldiers, their branch of service and rank, date of their death, details and locations of their death, their age and class at Wahpeton High School.

Getting military photographs of each soldier proved to be the most challenging task. Only one photo obtained was from the military. Connell retrieved photos from the soldier's families, a high school yearbook or funeral programs.

Once unveiled to students, faculty and the public, the memorial will sit in the north hallway of the high school. Encased in the memorial will be a story and photo for each soldier and medals, letters and other related memorabilia.

Comments

JP wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:54 PM:

" Hopefully there will be a follow up story that will list all the soldiers names. This is a great effort by Mike Connell. Hopefully it will be a permanent part of the high school and updated as needed. Thanks Mike! "




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Leroy Wolf class of 65 wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:33 PM:

" I would like to thank Superintendent Connell for his efforts to remember our fallen brothers and that have given their all for this country. Wahpeton High School have had it's share of veterans that saw what war is or what war was. Some of us came home in one piece others came home with injuries and others gave their all.

I salute all my fallen brothers and/or sisters from Wahpeton High School. Thank you to all VETERANS no matter what war you fought in.

May god bless the United States of America!!!!! "




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