NEW MATAMORAS - Forget the rock stars and athletes, a Vietnam War veteran told area students Friday - their best bet for a hero was right in the room with them.
"If you're looking for a hero, these are your heroes," said Tim Peterson, as he had all his fellow war veterans at New Matamoras Elementary's 19th annual POW-MIA Recognition Day stood and were applauded. "And all we've done is worth it if we leave a better world for you young people."
Students in the upper grades at the elementary school gathered for a ceremony to honor the veterans and specifically express their thanks to four visiting World War II prisoners of war.
"Both of my grandfathers were veterans of wars," said student Josie Felton. "I know a lot of people don't really appreciate it, but everyone should say 'thanks.' It doesn't take much of your time."
New Matamoras Principal Bill Wotring said the annual ceremony is as much about educating students as honoring war heroes.
"We hope it will be a very meaningful experience for them," he said. "They're in the process of learning the effort and sacrifice that goes into keeping our freedoms."
The students sang patriotic songs, heard the stories of the POWs and eight fifth- and sixth-graders were selected to share essays.
"What the teachers have done is really wonderful," said Joe Colarusso, commander of the VFW's District 5. "They've really taught the young people some beautiful stuff. I really appreciate this program."
The POWs in attendance told the students a little about their experiences and advised them to appreciate all they have in their everyday lives.
"What I remember most about my time as a prisoner was being hungry the whole time," said Gifford Doxsee, of Athens, captured during the Battle of the Bulge. "I lost almost 50 pounds in five months ... we were literally eating grass and dandelion greens. When you have a good meal, appreciate it."
POW Herman Zerger, of Woodsfield, described his living quarters as rat-infested and a place where soldiers slept on boards, with no light or heat.
"It's sad to hear what they have to say," said sixth-grader Jake Bradford. "But I hope to learn from it."
The ceremony also honored U.S. Army 1st Lt. Chris Rutherford, 25, a Newport native killed while serving in Iraq in July 2007.
"We honored Chris at this ceremony last year, and we wanted to do it again today just because he was such a great example of what any parent would want their child to be," Wotring said. "He was a super guy."
Knowing there are still soldiers fighting and losing their lives "just makes me want to cry," said student Jodie Springer.
"I knew Chris Rutherford, and he was a very, very nice man," she said.
Overpowering any feelings of sadness, though, was the theme of gratitude at the recognition day, as it is each year.
New Matamoras student Mekya McQueary said she had a simple message for all the veterans, living and dead.
"God bless you," she said in her essay. "We all love you."
