Clarkston Junior High students Josh Powe, at left, and Dylan Walker, at right, present the honor stone to veteran Jason Keiser.

Clarkston Junior High School students spent last Thursday honoring veterans for Veterans Day. For Clarkston graduate Jason Keiser, that meant a stone tablet they made for their courtyard.
“It’s absolutely amazing – I never expected to be honored,” said Keiser, 1997 Clarkston High School graduate who served seven years in the U.S. Army with Bravo Company, First Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan and two in Iraq.
The students mixed and poured the stone, decorating it with the veteran’s name, unit, and medals he earned, and placed it the Spc Jenna Beno Memorial Courtyard. They also organized a presentation with speeches by the students, and music by the school orchestra and choir.
“I thought it was very nice presentation,” said Karen Greene, Keiser’s mother. “He’s very humble. This is something very unique, I knew he would appreciate it. I’m very proud of him. He’s a very awesome young man.”
“It was a wonderful presentation they put on for him,” said Raymond Krupp, his grandfather who served in the U.S. Navy from 1949-1951. “He sure deserves it for what he has done for his country.”
Keiser, who achieved the rank of staff sergeant, E-6, in the Army, spoke to students about his military service, people he met, and memories he made.
Beno is a Clarkston veteran who passed away in 2012. Students have been creating and dedicating stones to local veterans since 2013.
– Phil Custodio