A sacrifice that few who haven’t been there could imagine — yet one that almost every military veteran would do again in a heartbeat.

That is a message that retired U.S. Navy commander Aldo Kuntz voiced during his presentation at the Whitefish High School Veterans Day Celebration event last Thursday. The celebration is held annually to honor those who have served our country. The event has taken a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and many expressed their gratitude to see the event return this year.

“Getting together like this provides us an opportunity to step back, see the world around us just a little differently,” WHS Principal Kerry Drown said. “Gives us time to think about the important things – those things in life that sometimes we take for granted. Gives us a chance to see things through a wider lens and gives us the opportunity to share our gratitude.”

Kuntz, who served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years and spent 20 of those years flying fighter jets, was the main speaker of the event. He told many stories about the memories he made while in the military, with a good bit of humor tied into most.

During his talk, he showed a brief film that highlighted the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron and afterward came back to the microphone dressed in one of his seven different flight suits — this one uniquely orange.

Though Kuntz relayed many stories with a chuckle, much of his talk focused on the sacrifice made by those who choose to serve in the United States armed forces. He said since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, those that find out he is retired from the Navy have many responses most of which include gratitude for his service. But, do U.S. citizens really understand the sacrifice that goes into serving?

“In the context of military service, you could substitute the word with sacrifice,” Kuntz expressed. “I missed out on the birth of my first two children; in our first 16 years of marriage, my wife claims I wasn’t present for 18 of those anniversaries or holidays or events.”

He added that missing out on life events is not unique to the military, but the long deployments — which he had seven during his career — are difficult to be away from family and home.

Despite the sacrifices he and all veterans made, Kuntz says he wouldn’t change a thing.

“If it sounds like I’m trying to steer you away from the military service, nothing could be further from the truth,” Kuntz said. “Knowing what I know now, would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat.”

As Kuntz said those words, veterans all across the room nodded in agreement.

“Serving your country is incredibly gratifying knowing what you’re doing contributes to the freedoms and liberties we all enjoy, and sometimes take for granted, even though you risk making the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

THE CELEBRATION also included presentations from Whitefish High School students who highlighted the different branches and history of the armed forces. The Chief Cliff Singers out of Elmo, Montana performed two songs, one of which was a veterans tribute.

The WHS Choir sang the national anthem and a combined band and orchestra played a piece that combined the songs of the different military branches for the armed forces salute.

The event wrapped up with a WHS student reciting the famous war poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D., which references red poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers during World War I. The red poppy has become an international symbol of remembrance for soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and hope for a peaceful future.

The final verse of the poem gives the clear message of continuing on the fight for freedom in honor of those who sacrificed their lives.

“Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.”