The room is filled with a somber yet powerful feeling. The star spangled flag flutters slowly in the middle of the room. Aside from students walking into the bleachers, all is silent. The room is littered with students and veterans in uniform.
On November 9th, we honored our veterans with an assembly. This celebration was beautiful and sad and hopeful and passionate and one of the best Veterans Day ceremonies one can watch.
Veteran’s Day is a federal holiday honoring our United States military veterans; it is celebrated on November 11th annually. Each year, West invites United States veterans to be a part of its Veterans Day celebration. This year, West Brunswick hosts their 10th annual Veterans Day celebration.
“The Veterans day ceremony is something the JROTC, dance team, chorus program and band get together to honor our Veterans,” said senior battalion commander Ariana McClure. “We give a shout-out to all the men and women who served in the armed forces and help us be the great nation we are today.”
Many parts of the school come together to make this event special. The school band plays the national anthem and the choir sings “A Tribute to the Armed Services.” The JROTC drill team gives a performance and the dance team gives a beautiful performance of the song “flaws.” The principal, Mr. Dalton, gives a speech as well as members of the JROTC program Ariana McClure and Brayden Griffith. Along with the principal and students, some of the aforementioned guest veterans are given the opportunity to speak. Retired first sergeant Herb Lynch performs the poem “A Toast to the Flag” and guest speaker retired colonel Leo Mercado gives a beautiful speech of the importance and remembrance of those who have served and those who have died for our country.
“It is to give thanks to all the people who served and who died serving for our freedom,” said McClure. “It is a way for the school to show that we really care for our Veterans.”
