On the eve of Veterans Day, the celebration of the United States military members began early.
The All Saints Catholic School in Davenport hosted their third annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 10, 2014. Dozens of veterans attended, migrating from classroom to classroom, telling stories of their military experiences.
Students watched in awe as a troops of veterans filed into their classrooms. Many of the veterans were wearing their respected uniforms. One student asked, "What is war like?" An elderly Korean vet humbly replied, "cold." As the classroom broke out in laughter, some hardened veterans were able to shed a smile.
Every veteran had a story. Bill Weber didn't share his in front of students, but opened up to News 8.
Weber was stationed near the 38th parallel in Korea from 1952 to 1963. The Army veteran received a Purple Heart, which is given by the U.S. Government to military men and women who suffered wounds in combat.
It was Christmas morning when Weber earned his.
"War has no holidays," the brittle man said. "Early Christmas morning our platoon got attacked by the North Koreans and a bunch of us got Purple Hearts."
"Some didn't live to get theirs," Weber continued.
Sitting next to Weber was Bob Gushanas, who served in the Korean War in 1966. He remembered how the North Koreans would taunt the American soldiers.
"They would read your mail over a loud speaker. They would tell you that your family was waiting for you over there," Gushanas explained.
After some story sharing, the All Saints Catholic School's band played the Star Spangled Banner. Students waived flags as the song resonated through the gym. Some veterans shed a tear.
It was a somber reminder that freedom is anything but free.