Sturgis Brown High School hosted a heartfelt Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 6, bringing together students, staff, community members, and local veterans in a powerful tribute to those who have served our nation. The event was organized by members of the local National Guard and featured performances by the SBHS band and choir, whose musical selections added a solemn and reflective tone to the morning.
One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the “Missing Man Table,” a symbolic tribute honoring fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members. Each element of the display held deep meaning: the round table representing everlasting concern for the missing; a white tablecloth symbolizing the purity of their motives; a single red rose and ribbon standing for love, remembrance, and determination; a yellow ribbon for hope of their return; and a slice of lemon and pinch of salt symbolizing the bitterness of loss and the tears shed by families. An inverted glass and an empty chair represented the absence of those who could not return home, while a single candle burned brightly as a beacon of hope.
The program served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those in uniform and the enduring gratitude of the Sturgis community. Through music, symbolism, and reflection, Sturgis Brown High School honored the courage, service, and memory of America’s veterans.
Photos by Tim Potts