School Honors Veterans

— Veterans talked to Oakdale Middle School students Friday about duty and country at an assembly celebrating Veterans Day.

Three veterans with connections to the school spoke.

Fast Facts

Veterans Day

Sunday is Veterans Day which will officially be observed Monday.

There are an estimated 22.7 million veterans in the United States.

Source: U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs

Retired Army Maj. Sean Morris, assistant principal at Kirksey Middle School, talked about meeting one of his former fifth-grade students from Northside Elementary in Iraq, and showed a picture of himself side-by-side with Nick Echols, a Marine stationed in Fallujah. Echols attended Oakdale, Morris said.

“There are things bigger than you,” Morris told students. “You have to dedicate yourself to something.”

Retired Army Capt. Troy Charlton, Principal Donna Charlton’s husband, said one of the proudest moments of his life was when he graduated college and entered the Army as a second lieutenant. The songs in the program speak of hope and that is what the military stands for, Charlton said.

“We’re challenged to hold on to our core values,” he said.

Culture and society have changed, but the military stands for duty, honor, respect and country. Veterans represent the best traditions of democracy, he said.

“The military, what it stands for has not changed — ever,” Charlton said.

Michael Elkins, school resource officer, ended his service in the Marines with the rank of sergeant.

“We honor our veterans because our freedoms, our safety, our country’s way of life are secured by them,” Elkins told students.

He spoke about those motivated to join the military by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. People often forget that those who join the military, join a cause that they believe in, he said.

“You want to be a part of something bigger,” Elkins said.

He urged students to remember veterans, those living and dead, on Sunday.

“Long after their service has ended their contribution never ends,” he said.

“Good speech,” seventh-grader William Martinez told Elkins after the assembly.

Macie Bowman, a seventh-grader, said she doesn’t usually think about veterans’ service, but the assembly, with its focus on honoring those who served, wakes people up.

“When you think about it, it makes you proud,” Macie said.

Classmate Emily Sanchez agreed.

“They’ve done so much for us, and I haven’t really noticed until today,” the seventh-grader said.

Megan Auglin, an eighth-grader, said she felt honored to be in the room with so many veterans.

The assembly and the acceptance are appreciated, said Darwin McKibben, a veteran.

“Hopefully they appreciate their country for what it is,” he said.

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