Angelo School's Veterans Day Ceremonies an Annual Family Affair
On November 14, 2016, the Louis F. Angelo Elementary School held its annual Bring a Veteran to School Day, an event that allows students to include a relative who is either an active member of the military or a veteran. Guests address students about their experiences.
All of the branches of the military were represented during the ceremony, from the Army to the Air Force. Whether they were actively serving or a veteran who served 30 years ago, each speaker shared unique and individual experiences.
One veteran served as a drill sergeant in the Army for 13 years from 2001-2014, for example. Another served in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s during the war in Vietnam.
Although their experiences were different, all shared the joy they felt upon returning home. Each described their utmost happiness in talking about their families – whether it was knowing they didn't have to leave their loved ones again, or seeing them for the first time in months after an initial deployment.
Speakers spoke with heart-wrenching joy, bringing tears to the eyes of some in the audience.
Students were interested in the day-to-day life of a member of the military, using the question-and-answer period to ask what service men and women eat, what they do for fun, how long they were allowed to sleep, and how they made friends.
Stories ranged from the service men and women's experiences with MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) to their experiences traveling across many different countries. The event concluded with refreshments in the school's library and the chance to mingle and talk among themselves.
Student: Anya Barros
Veteran's Name: Diclecio Dos Anjos
Student: Navaeh Labossiere
Veteran's Name: Jessica Pedraza
Student: Ruby Watt
Veteran's Name: Joshua Buxhaum
Student: Jocelyn Protentis
Veteran's Name: Sam Protentis
Student: Ryan Farmer
Veteran's Name: Kent Corson
Veteran's Name: Akim Dorn