Veterans honored at Riverside Military Appreciation Game

Veterans and their families were honored Friday at the Riverside High School Game. The annual Military Appreciation game is a moving tribute to those that have served. 

The audience grandstands were decorated in red, white and blue. The players wore special jerseys with stars and stripes on the sleeves. The jerseys also had the player’s names. They get to keep the jerseys as a special keepsake of that game. 

As the players entered the field they ran through a banner with the names of the branches of the military. They also carried the American Flag, flags for each branch, the Wyoming Flag and the Rebels flag. 

The American Flag and Military branch flags were provided by Wyoming Veterans Commission’s Commissioner Bobby Werner. He also carried the POW/MIA chair on to the field with the American Legion Post #29 Color Guard. The chair was then placed on the sideline for the entire game to serve as a reminder for all to see.  The Color Guard was made up of John Bubla, Chuck Hopkin and Steve Crane. 

Hopkin was chosen to do the coin toss. The coin used was the most recent Veterans Honor Coin featuring the nation’s semi quincentennial. The coin was provided by Werner. 

Army Veteran Merrita Powell sang the National Anthem. At half time Veteran’s and their families were asked to stand so they could be recognized. 

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #29 set up a table with poppies. Poppies are a universal emblem to honor soldiers who died in war. They were inspired by the WWI poem “In Flanders Field” 

Attendees were able to write the names of Veterans on wooden stars provided by the Basin City Art Center. The stars will be displayed on a tree during the center’s Festival of Trees, in November.  Blank stars and glitter pins are in the foyer of the Basin Area Chamber. Please feel free to stop by and add a Veterans name and branch of service to those blank stars. Turn them in to the Basin Republican Rustler, which is next door to the chamber. 

Riverside Middle/High School Principal Matthew Jensen said that this game is always a favorite among the students, staff and community. It shows respect and love to those that have and are serving. His wife DeAnne is a Veteran.