I am a junior at Peyton High School.  I have helped out some with the Veterans’ Breakfast for the past couple of years and this year, I have done a lot.  Last year, I chipped ice on the sidewalk and opened doors for the veterans.  The year before that, I just opened doors.  This year, I have sold lollipops, baked and sold cookies, grilled burgers and hotdogs, and stacked wood for the bonfire.  There are probably a few things I forgot to mention, but these are the main things.  I have had ideas for fundraisers.   For example, I had the idea that we could hold a fishing tournament, charge admission, and keep most of the money.  Some of the money would be given away as a prize.  It is too late in the year to hold a fishing tournament, but I could use that idea next year.

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Daniel Deyo

I was born on August 6, 1991 in Fort Carson, Colorado. My father left me when I was around the age of two, or when my sister was born, I can’t really remember the time he left. Not much can I recollect on my young childhood up until the age of seven. My mother had to be inserted into the Texas State penitentiary for child abuse on an infant. Her sentence was two to twenty years. She is now currently serving her 9^th year. She will get parole on June 28, 2009. I cannot remember the day of the incident but I do know that it gave me a new start and place to live.

After five years in Texas I moved back out to Colorado where nothing really exciting happened, well at least nothing really exciting until high school. Once I opened the “pearly gates” to the rest of my life I joined the high school theatre troop and swim team which I lettered in both my freshman and sophomore years. Doing theatre helped bring me to realize my passion, which is theatre. I have developed a sense of fondness for psychology as well doing theatrical workings for they go hand in hand. I have a total of seven plays under my belt one of which was a professional play. My passion for swimming is still strong even though the school I go to does not have a swim team.

After my sophomore year, I was told that I had to move out to Peyton and go to school there. Peyton was not far away from where I used to live, Colorado Springs, but once I gained a strong emotional bond for my friends I had out their for eight years, it was hard to move. The reason I had to move was financial issues with my grandma and grandpa who I had to live with due to my mother’s incarceration. I just began the second wave of life as I walked into the school I had not known at all. Everyone was brand new to me; I didn’t know a single soul. The first year I was here was hard for me to get used to it. The second year however is starting out fine. I have multiple friends and have a lot of good things going for me.

This year so far has been good, I am taking two college credit courses and I was able to help out with the Veterans Breakfast by being one of the lead designers of the Haunted Hay Ride for a Halloween special fund raiser. I was a participant in the school play this year as well; it was titled “Broadway After Dark”. This year everything is going great and I have met the girl of my dreams.

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I attend Peyton High School and am apart of the Government class. The starting of my senior year is when I really got involved in the Veterans Breakfast. To start off, I was in charge of the food service and the in site of the whole operation of the Homecoming bonfire, Entertainment for the whole community to enjoy the night on the town.

When the Halloween Festival came around I was the engineer of the set up of the Coffins and head stones of the haunted hay ride.

Also to follow up with my contributions to the Veterans Breakfast I am on the floor design of the Breakfast and also on the parking Committee for the third year in a row.

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Kelsey Simanski, Head of the Volunteer Groups

I am the head of the volunteer groups. I am that person who helps in just about every group. In the fundraising group, I helped set up and coordinate the bonfire we hosted for homecoming. As well, I baked cookies to sell for raising money.

In addition, I told stories and supervised on the haunted hayride. Finally, for fundraising I helped run the game night hosted at the high school for a small fundraiser.  In decorating, I sent out letters to teachers for asking for contributions
for entertainment, and shared the responsibility for price checking and purchasing decorations. For the food, I contributed ideas for the menu.

Finally, my partner Lauren and I coordinate all the servers’ attire and their positions. I am also a busy student.

No matter how many hours contributed, this event means a lot to me. This veterans breakfast hosted by the Peyton high school students, gives me a chance to give back to those who helped defend our country. I strongly believe this breakfast
gives the people involved a chance to appreciate all that the veterans have sacrifice for us. This event just says a lot more than giving a breakfast. It is our mother’s fathers and grandparents who serve and we truly are great full.

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Joshua John Wohlrabe

I am a senior in high school. In my high school career, I have found enjoyment in many things. 

When I first came to Peyton, I quickly became involved in our football program. I have stayed in the program since and made all conference this year for defensive line. I learned how to work in football and I have applied this knowledge in my
studies.

In my sophomore year, I joined the band. Music is my passion and playing it allows me to live that passion. I plan on teaching music someday and sharing the feeling and emotion that is the heart of music itself.

This year I was in charge of the Peyton Bonfire. The bonfire was a fantastic way to bring the people of Peyton closer together, with music played by a live band, delicious food, and a fire that burned for a long time. I enjoyed the excitement
and organization of running a bonfire. There were some struggles but without it the bonfire would not have been as much of a thrill for me.

Now in the Veterans breakfast I basically do whatever people tell me to since I’m am not really head of a committee, or the entire operation as I was in the bonfire. But I am always willing to help when someone asks it of me and I will be performing for the breakfast with the high school band. 

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Recently Retired CSM Pete VanDyke

CSM Joseph P. Van Dyke is a native of Santa Rosa, California. He entered the Army's Delayed Entry Program in Aug of 1977, and the United States Army in June of 1978.

He attended Basic Combat Training at Ft. Dix, NJ and Advanced Individual Training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, as a (63H) Track Wheeled vehicle Mechanic.

CSM Van Dyke served as the Garrison Command Sergeant Major Fort Carson Colorado. CSM Van Dyke has served in every enlisted leadership position from Squad leader to Command Sergeant Major. His previous assignments include:

Alpha Company, 709th Maintenance Battalion, 9'

Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington Maintenance Battalion, 3rd (1979-1980)

Charlie Company, 122nd Armored Division, Friedburg, Germany (1980-1981)

Charlie Company, 704th Maintenance Battalion, 4th infantry Division (Mechanized)
Fort Carson, Colorado (1981-1984)

5th Combat Equipment Company, 21' Support Command, Pirmasens, Germany

th Maintenance Company, K-16 Airbase, Republic of Korea (1990-1991)

Bravo Company, 115 Ordnance Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (1987-1990)

595th Forward Support Battalion and later appointed as the First Sergeant for Bravo Company 15th Forward Support Battalion Is' Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas (1991-1995).

CSM Van Dyke was reassigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 325th Forward Support Battalion (FSB), 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks,Hawaii as the Support Operations NCOIC and later as the First Sergeant for Bravo Company 325th FSB (1995-1999).

Command Sergeant Major Van Dyke attended the United States Sergeant's Major Academy (Class 50) from 1999-2000 and upon graduation was directly appointed as the Regimental Support Squadron (RSS)Command Sergeant Major, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin,California from (2000-2003).

CSM Van Dyke has served as the United States Army Garrison Command Sergeant Major, Fort Carson, Colorado since April 2003, one of the Army's largest Installations under the Installation Management Command (IMCOM).

CSM Van Dyke's military education includes Basic Combat Training (BCT), Advanced Individual Training (MT) as a 63H, the Basic Technical Course (BIC), the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLUC), the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (ANCOC), the Palletized Loading Systems course, the M88 Heavy Recovery Vehicle Hydraulic, Engine and Transmission Systems course, the Advanced M1 Abrams Battle Tank, Engine and Transmission course, the Advanced Bradley Fighting Vehicle Engine and Transmission course, the Battle Staff NCO course, the First Sergeant's course, the United States Army Sergeant's Major
Academy (class 50), Command Sergeants Major course, and the Garrison Command Sergeant's Major course at the Army's Management and Staff College.

CSM Van Dyke holds an Associate's Degree from Big Bend Community College in Advanced Automotive Technology and is pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Business management.

CSM Van Dyke's awards and decorations include the:

Meritorious Service Medal (w / 2 OLC)
The Army Commendation Medal (w / 5 OLC)
The Army Achievement Medal (w / 1 Silver OLC)
The Army Good Conduct Medal (9th AWD)
National Defense Service Medal (w /I Bronze Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with a Numeral 4
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with a Numeral 3
Track and Wheeled Vehicle Drivers badge
Wheeled and Track Mechanics badge

CSM Van Dyke was awarded the Ordnance Order of the Samuel Sharp and is a Member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

CSM Van Dyke is married to the former Theresa Vannetti of Sebastopol, California. Theresa and Pete have been married (Jan 6, 1979) almost as long as he has served in the Army.

They have two children (Army Brats) Christopher 21, who is studying business law at Cal State Northridge, Northridge California, and their daughter Angelina a recent 2008 graduate of Lewis Palmer High School, Monument, Colorado. Angelina is currently pursuing a Nursing degree at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), Colorado.

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Paul R. Darrow, Korean War Veteran

Korean War Veterans Association President

I was in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953-1954 with one year spent in Korea as Battalion Legal Clerk.

Since retirement I have been active in the Marine Corps League, the Dutch Nelsen Korean War Veterans of Colorado Springs of which I have been the President for the last 2 years.

In addition, I serve on the Cemetery Committee working had to bring the next Veteran Cemetery to the Colorado Springs area, and the Veteran's Council.

Thanks again for your efforts in the conflict.

Paul Darrow

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A Pearl Harbor Survivor

We will have his name and info here soon.

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Terry Harfert

Veteran and Peyton High School Government Class Teacher

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Peyton Elementary School Cheerleaders

Bass Clarinet Solo (Katie Kinght)

Bach Sonata IV (Talor Migliaccio)

Peyton Elementary School Choir

"When You Believe" (Lauren Migliaccio and Megan Wohlrabe)

Peyton High School/MiddleSchool Orchestra (Conducted by Mrs Highfield)