The LEMS Veterans program has become a tradition for Master Sergeant Jason Cox. On November 12, 2018, Cox returned for a third year to LEMS to present a Veterans remembrance presentation to students, staff and the community.

Willy Wilcox, an Army Veteran himself, began the morning by welcoming all those in attendance and announcing the presentation of colors. LEMS students Gabe Mathews provided percussion. Connor Luker, Garrett Henderson and Clay Willey executed the Presentation of the Colors and Allison Williams sang our National Anthem is a clear, angelic voice.

Wilcox named the Veterans and their branch of service in attendance. Navy; Will Luker, Larry Williams and Jim Tangney. Air Force; Richard Ladwig, Harold Miller, Jack Garner and Dale Travnicek. Marines; Randy Starkey and Cary Gill. Army; Willy Wilcox, Terry Griffith, Tom Dooper, Darrell Frye, Jim Kruse, Kent Predmore, Ron Mathews, Dan Gaukel, Mike Kane and Jimmy Shane. Also, there were two men that served in the army and also continue to serve. Ed Tirado is the current Commander of VFW Post #35 and Dale Miller, American Legion Post Commander Ferdinand Branstetter Post #1.

Ferdinand Branstetter Post No. 1 of Van Tassell has not only the distinction of being the first American Legion Post organized in Wyoming but also the first to be organized in the United States. The first meeting of the Post was held June 28, 1919. A motion was made and carried that the Post be named in honor of Ferdinand Branstetter. Branstetter came to Wyoming from Nebraska about 1914 and filed on a homestead south of Van Tassell. Inducted into the service during World War I, he was one of the first from the Van Tassell area to fall in action. Other charters in addition to Van Tassell were issued on the same day for Washington, D. C., Denver, Colo., and St. Louis, Mo. George Washington Post #1, in Washington D.C. claims the title of first post however, Ferdinand Branstetter Post No. 1., claims that it convened its organizational meeting approximately an hour before Washington.

VFW Post #35 Commander Ed Tirado read a statement from Senator John Barrasso thanking the Veterans for their service.

MSG Jason Cox asked the crowd a simple question. What is a Veteran? LEMS students all had a very solid grasp on the answer, but Amber Luker nailed it with her answer. “Someone who has honorably served in one of the five branches of the military”.

Cox then talked about how we as Americans need to remember of few things. To be thankful for what we have. To realize how good we have it. To respect those who have served and to remember those in the service of our country. Cox then asked the Veterans, “Why did you serve?” A multi-faceted question to be sure. Army Veteran, Terry Griffith simply stated, “I was drafted”. Cox listed duty, friendship and the “fun stuff” as other possible reasons.

Following the slide presentation, Cox set up a mock Boot Camp. There was marching, artillery, intake (haircut and shave), and a medical station.

Following the presentation, lunch was served by the LEMS staff.

MSG Jason Cox is LEMS educator Britainy Bruegger’s father.

Thank you for your service Veterans and never forget “All gave some, some gave all”.