ONE SCHOOL EVENT COMMEMORATES VETERANS DAY

BY BECKETT GROWNEY

Miami Country Day School celebrated Veterans Day in many ways. We had the honor of hosting Retired Lt. Col. Jennifer Avery in an assembly at Nathan B Hurst amphitheater

On November 11, we celebrated Veterans Day to salute the 19 million veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they made to protect our country.

On this day we hosted Jennifer Avery. She shared her experiences as a service member to help us understand why it’s so important to never forget those who risk their lives to keep us safe.

Avery stood proudly in front of the whole school to tell her story about how she was the first woman to fly the B-2, and the only woman to fly the bomber in combat in support of Operation Iraqi

Freedom in 2003.

She delivered an amazing speech on her career and talked about how dreams can be achieved no matter how hard life gets. She said if you put your mind to something you can accomplish anything, and to never let anyone tell you no.

Jennifer Avery, daugher of MCD’s Denise Wilson, was the first woman in the military to become a B-2 bomber. She is now retired after serving in the military.

Avery’s love for aviation began when she was just a young child. Her Uncle Bill took her into an aircraft simulator at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Not only did Avery graduate at the top of her class at her training camp but she also met the love of her life flying the B-2. Astonishingly, Avery didnt even mean to become a B-2 bomber.

While she was serving, she decided to try out for the B-2.

“I heard that there was a sign up, to be the pilot so I threw my name in the hat, and got picked,” Avery said.

It was interesting to her that she was chosen.

Avery retired to take care of her two children.

“I’m proud of myself,” Avery said. However, she didn’t want being a woman to be a reason she was selected.

Avery’s story is about strength and perseverance, and she is now inspiring future generations.”

“To be able to fly such a unique aircraft that is the backbone of our nation’s nuclear-deterrence defense was a dream come true,” Avery said.