A Salute to Service: MHS honors local Veterans
November 11, 2026 – Walking through the doors of Mexico High School on Veterans Day brought an unexpected feeling for one veteran.
“Gave me goosebumps,” he shared as he walked through the entrance of the building he once attended as a student. Today, he returned as an honored guest, joining fellow Veterans for a morning of recognition, reflection, and gratitude.
Mexico High School kicked off the community's Veterans Day observances on Wednesday, November 11, with a student-led assembly honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Organized and conducted by the MHS Student Council, the assembly brought together the entire high school student body, staff, and visiting veterans. Student leaders Sebastian Matuz and Iva Hicks guided the program, which included a ceremonial flag folding by two students, a performance of "Taps," and individual introductions of the Veterans in attendance.
The MHS band performed a medley of songs representing the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, inviting Veterans to stand as their respective service songs were played. It was a meaningful opportunity for students to see the men and women behind the uniforms and recognize the different branches of military service represented in their own community.
The assembly also recognized two members of the MHS staff who have served in the military. Dr. Sara Gooch, who teaches textiles and apparel, business, and child development, served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1989 to 1997. Nancy Dreier, the school's choir accompanist, served 25 years in the Army National Guard. These are familiar faces in the hallways of MHS, people students and staff see and interact with regularly, but whose military service may not always be known.
The morning's guest speaker, retired Sergeant First Class Richard Ingram, shared reflections from his 22 years of service in the Army and Army Reserve. His military career included combat deployment to Iraq and a tour in Africa. Among his honors are the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
Ingram spoke about the generations of veterans who paved the way for those who followed, sharing his own journey through active duty, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve. He offered students a glimpse into the missions, deployments, and responsibilities that shaped his military career.
And when reflecting on his years of service, Ingram offered a simple statement:
“I wouldn't have changed it. I would've done it again.”
Around the room, fellow veterans nodded in agreement. It was a moment that perhaps said as much as any speech could. Different branches, different generations, and different experiences, but a shared understanding of what it means to serve.
The MHS assembly was the first of several Veterans Day observances in Mexico. A dedication ceremony at the new Central Missouri Veterans Memorial was scheduled to follow, with Missouri Military Academy hosting an afternoon event near the Missouri Veterans Home.
For the MHS students who planned and led the morning's assembly, the event offered an opportunity to do more than learn about military service in a classroom. It allowed them to personally welcome, recognize, and thank the veterans who are part of their community.
Mexico Public Schools thanks all veterans for their service and extends special appreciation to those who chose to begin Veterans Day with our students and staff.