On Nov. 8, OH social studies classes attended the annual veterans assembly in the OH Barnes Performing Arts Center.
Student Council Vice President Makenzie Benz said Veterans Day should be celebrated as “[It] shows our appreciation for the thousands of people who risk their lives to protect the country we live in. These people serve as an integral part of the United States [to] ensure that we can continue our everyday lives.”
During the assembly, students helped introduce the veterans as they told their stories and experiences in serving. Many staff and students enjoyed the assembly.
This assembly honored veterans Al Litwiller (Army), Rick Gardner (Army), Rafael Segarra (Army), Steven Miller (Army), and Roberto Vargas (Air Force). These vets told their stories and experiences of serving the country. The assembly helped students learn about the importance of Veterans Day and have an opportunity to ask questions.
“[I] always like the veterans assemblies,” said social studies teacher Jacqueline Wojtyszyn. “It’s important that we hear their stories because we don’t always see that connection between people who live through it and not live through it.”
Celebrating Veterans Day is a simple act that creates change and recognition for our military. “Keeping them in mind once a year is a harmless way to honor those who have risked their lives to keep us safe,” said senior Natalie Aguilar.
Veterans went through various rigorous training courses at boot camps to serve the US and provide citizens with freedom and rights.
“[The] rights for what [we] have and the freedoms we have are protected by those who willingly gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life for [us] to have a great life in this country,” said Wojtyszyn.
All veterans regardless of whether they served in the world wars or after should all be honored and have a day dedicated to their hard work.
“Those who just started serving, are serving, or used to serve, have all dedicated a portion of their life and risked themselves to serve and protect our country,” Aguilar said.
Many holidays honor the memory and efforts of important people and events. Veterans Day is very important as it honors our country’s heroes and enables us to appreciate our freedoms and rights.
Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11, honors all who served in the armed forces. It was formerly known as Armistice Day in 1919 when former President Woodrow Wilson declared it. In 1954, it officially became Veterans Day marking the eleventh hour, the eleventh day, and the eleventh month.
“There are so many examples of holidays we dedicate time to, to celebrate and I think that Veterans Day should not be any different,” Benz said.
Some students and staff feel Veterans Day should be celebrated by having schools shut down.
“I think schools should be closed. I think we should be doing more ceremonies, things like that, to thank them for everything that they’ve done,” Wojtyszyn said.
I am a Senior at OHS, this is my first year of journalism! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
I'm a senior at OHS this my first year as a reporter in 42fifty. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
