Young serviceman helps community honor veterans

Heros Among us

Jacob Harthan made no secret of the fact that he was nervous-- even slightly agitated, to be the keynote speaker at Clear Lake’s Veteran’s Day services Monday.
It wasn’t because he was honored; he said he just didn’t feel worthy.
However, Harthan, a Machinist Mate Petty Officer Third Class is the United States Navy, provided a powerful message reminding all to thank and show respect to veterans.
Harthan said he didn’t stand up when the Master of Ceremonies asked veterans to rise and be honored by the high school student body and public gathered for the morning flag ceremony and program.
“I haven’t sacrificed the way they have,” said Harthan, who asked the veterans in attendance to stand for a second time in the program. “These people went to war for you and me. They fought to keep us safe. I haven’t gone overseas. I haven’t put my life on the line the way they have.”
Like the majority of Monday’s audience, Harthan said he recalls sitting in E.B. Stillman Auditorium as a Clear Lake High School student listening to the Veteran’s Day program. The 2006 CLHS graduate said the messages didn’t really sink in back then. Yet, after graduation he looked into military service, noting he was tired of classroom work.
Ironically, his service in the Navy has involved a great deal of classroom time. He attended Recruit Training Command at Great Lake, Ill., graduating in December 2006. He went on to graduate from two Nuclear Power Schools at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, S.C., and is currently stationed in Charleston. He said he is serving his country with pride and is doing his job to the best of his abilities.
Harthan paused during his message to say that he was pleased to see that students seemed to be paying attention to his words.
“Wow. That’s great,” he told students. “Because veterans deserve your respect and your gratitude. We need to remember and honor them.”