PRIEST RIVER — Three flags now fly high at the north end of the Priest River Lamanna High School field.

A United States flag stands tall in the center, flanked by a PRLHS Spartan flag and the Idaho state flag on either side.

A memorial plaque dedicates the display to “all graduates of Priest River Lamanna High School who have proudly served our country.”

“Their commitment and love of country are testaments of what it means to be a true Spartan,” PRLHS Principal Joe Kren said as he read from the plaque during last week’s Veterans Day assembly. “With these words I soundly dedicate the plaque and flagpole display to all those who have selflessly served our country in the defense of its freedom.”

The Idaho National Guard, Design West Architect, the West Bonner County School District and several individuals came together in order to make the flagpole display and the Veterans Day event possible, Kren said. WBCSD Superintendent Paul Anselmo said it was Kren who, in fact, made it all possible with the “countless” hours he put into the project.

Current and former military service members from around the area were in attendance for the dedication of the flagpole display and other Veterans Day assembly events, with formal introductions

Seven PRLHS students were introduced by ASB president Natalie Randolph as they plan to go into one of the five branches of the United States military. Those students are Michael Jones, Hunter Housley, Maria Strickland-Cruz, Noah Martinez, Colby Poe, Hunter Slinger and Caleb Womack. Anselmo then presented a folded American flag to the students, who each held it for a moment before it was placed back on the table next to a bowl filled with tags. Each of those tags, Kren said, represents either a staff member or a member their family who has served the country in one of the branches of the armed forces.

“These are all the veterans that are represented just by members of our staff alone,” Kren said. “So to those people and their honor, I would like to say thank you and recognize them as well.”

PRLHS senior Max Bombino’s speech on patriotism began with the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, the document that has “set the tone” for almost 231 years, he said. While it is “in jeopardy at all times,” Bombino said, the tone of the Constitution still stands.

“It stands not because of its strength or resilience, but because of the strength and resilience of the brave men and women who fought for it,” Bombino said. “It is those men and women that we are here for today ... These brave souls are the true reason you are here today. We are here to celebrate our troops, our veterans and anyone who plans to serve. We are here to thank these amazing men and women for taking the ultimate risk, for doing what needs to be done, and on behalf of Priest River Lamanna High School, we thank you.”

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.