Regimented and respectful

At 9:37 a.m. on Tuesday, a jarring bell sounded and students started filtering into the Wood River High School gym.

As they seated themselves on bleachers under banners designating their class years, six veterans and two members of the nonprofit organization Higher Ground settled themselves at the top of the room at three long tables under a basketball hoop. Covered in white table cloths, the tables sported red, white and blue bunting.

To one side, student body vice president Mackenzie Rundell, a junior, and president Steven Aoyama, a senior, stood together at a podium affixed with the dark green letters “WRHS.” The pair briskly started the program. After thanking the veterans and students for attending, they turned the program over to the school’s vocal group, Colla Voce. The eight youn