By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Bucyrus High School honored a few past veterans as well as two future marines Tuesday afternoon at the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly.
Hosted by WQEL’s Davey Jones, the Bucyrus High School’s Veterans Day Assembly paid tribute to 1928 graduate Lt. Harry Martin who had served during World War II and lost his life in the battle of Iwo Jima. Jones told Martin’s story and how he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor due to his acts of valor by charging and dispersing an enemy charge at a hospital on the island. Martin was one of three recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Jones also told of Martin’s time at Bucyrus High School. At 5’6” and 135 pounds, Martin was on the practice squad for the varsity football team and yearned for a varsity letter of the school. Martin didn’t reach that goal. Jones noted that today that even practice squad members receive a varsity letter.
Jones then announced that Martin would be receiving a varsity letter from the school posthumously and would be on display next to the shadow box at the school that houses his Medal of Honor.
The assembly began with the high school band performing the Star Spangled Banner. After a performance by the choir and band, Bucyrus High School Principal Dr. Mark Burke welcomed the high school to the assembly. Dr. Burke recognized high school teacher Bob Guinther for his service. Also recognized were students Derick Clark and Rylan Hemmerly. Both Clark and Hemmerly were honored for being sworn in to the Marine Corps.
Clark explained what it felt like to be honored at the assembly alongside the other veterans.
“It feels great, I always feel people should serve their country, if they are able to, and just being up here with them and they have already served our country and I am about ready to, it just feels great,” Clark said.
Martin’s varsity letter will be officially presented to his family during the 2015 Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony Wednesday evening at the Bucyrus High School.