On Monday, Nov. 11, in celebration of Veteran’s Day, Emerson High School hosted a breakfast at 8 a.m. in the library for Emerson staff veterans as well as students’ families that have served. Veteran’s Day commemorates those who served the United States through the military.
With Veterans Day coming up, Maverick Leadership decided to organize a breakfast to show appreciation for those who served. During the breakfast, they presented a slideshow thanking veterans for their service.
“We have multiple veterans at our school, and tons of students’ family members serve, so we think it’s a really important holiday that should be honored,” Leadership student, Will Webster 10, said.
Geometry teacher James Feldman, ELA inclusion teacher Tess Gamberutti and Officer Allen Copeland are all Emerson staff members that have served in the military. The breakfast was a way to recognize them and those in the community who have dedicated a portion of their lives towards protecting the citizens of this country.
“Veterans Day means a lot to me because it shows that my sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed,” U.S. Army veteran, Alteric Battle said. “To know someone appreciates you is really special.”
During their service, veterans had to face many challenges. One of which was spending time away from loved ones while deployed, and, in some cases, not having any contact with their family.
“During basic training we couldn’t [call family], so it was a good six months where we didn’t have much contact,” U.S. Army veteran, Danya Deleon, said.
This was hard, not just for veterans, but for their family and friends as well. Students at Emerson that have parents who served have experienced the difficulties that come with growing up with parents in the military.
“We had to move a lot, and sometimes they wouldn’t be there for holidays, Giuliana Null, 10, said.”
Yet, through these difficult times, veterans persevered, shaping them into the people they are today.
“[I] learned how people from other cultures interact with each other,” Battle said. “Coming from southwest Georgia, you don’t get that.”
Serving in the military teaches people a lot of valuable lessons and characteristics. To be successful in service as well as in life, one must learn discipline and grit.
“Some of the best people I’ve ever met have been from the military,” Deleon said. “They are very strong, dedicated and courageous people, so I’m really honored to have met a lot of them.”
These veterans are crucial to the protection of our country and our freedoms. The practice of celebrating them began after World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918.
“We have to honor the ones who served that way the future ones want to serve as well,” U.S. Army veteran Russell Black said.
Americans have so much to be thankful to veterans for. During service, they had to spend time away from family, miss holiday celebrations and push through difficult experiences to serve their country.
“I think it’s really important because in our lives, today, we don’t realize a lot of the time what all they did for us,” Webster said. “We don’t realize the freedoms we have, and they’ve given so much of their lives to us that the least we can do is give them a day to honor and appreciate what they did for us.”
