CHAMOIS — Instead of the usual speech, retired Army Sgt. Justin Jones of Chamois did his presentation at the Chamois R-1 school Veterans Day program a little differently. Although he confided before the program began that he had chosen not to include information about PTSD and other mental health issues, in deference to the elementary students present, his high-energy presentation was both honest and very well received.

Jones began by asking students to name the various branches of service, then did a brief slideshow highlighting each branch and asking veterans in the audience to stand when their branch was named. He also offered a personal anecdote about friends or his experience with each service. He’d take a Marine in a firefight any day, he said, but the Air Force has the best food.

He also spoke of the camaraderie between service members and how they may give each other a lot of grief internally but protect each other from external threats.

After the presentation, Jones took questions from students, staff, and attendees. Some of the questions were a little silly, but students seemed excited by the opportunity.

Several students asked about Jones’ experience with weapons and vehicles, the length of his training, and where he had been stationed. Jones explained that he worked in military intelligence, which meant he spent the bulk of his career behind a computer providing necessary information for troops overseas.

One asked how long it takes to return to “normal” after returning from war, to which Jones replied very seriously that it depends on the person and what they’ve seen and done. “I’ve been out for six years,” he said. Some days are really good, and some days are really not.”

One student asked Jones how he would like to be honored as a veteran. “I wouldn’t,” he said.

Jones went on to explain that, while he appreciated being thanked for his service, he felt like the older generations of veterans, especially those who served in Vietnam, deserved the most recognition based on the hardships they had endured, both during the war and when they returned.

When you go overseas now, some of those bases are like cities, with McDonald’s and Starbucks, but previous generations had it a lot harder. Jones also explained that Vietnam veterans often were not treated well when they returned home because there was so much public opposition to the war. In more recent times, he said, people may oppose a war, but they still support the men and women fighting in it.

An audience member asked how the National Guard fits in. Jones replied that units can be deployed by the Governor of their home state, which is why they are often more active in natural disasters than active duty military or reserves.

Another student asked about the funniest thing that happened while Jones was in boot camp, to which he laughed and replied, “I can’t tell that story here.”

The students were so engaged that many hands were still in the air when school Counselor Meghan Birmingham indicated that Jones should wrap things up so the younger kids could go to lunch.

Retired American Legion Post 506 members posted the colors. Taps was played by CHS Trumpeters Evert Mehmert and Kaden Wuelling.