4 minute read
A Salute to our Veterans
On Thursday, November 11, Gainesville Junior High hosted the first annual GJHS Veterans Day Program to honor retired veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Not only were veterans honored, but students were exposed to opportunities in the military they may choose to pursue after graduation. The event was conceived and organized by Coach Jon Torres, a GJHS US History teacher, who is also currently serving as First Lieutenant in the Texas Army National Guard. For the last three of his six years in active duty, Torres has simultaneously upheld both teaching and military roles without hesitation.
Guests of Honor were Gainesville Mayor Tommy Moore (US Air Force/Air National Guard-6 years), GISD School Board President Corey Hardin (US Army-4 years), GJHS Texas History teacher Kevin Bentley (US Air Force-15 years), Joseph Denney (US Navy-4 years), and Major Roger Woodruff (US Marine Corps22 years).
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After serving 15 years, Mr. Bentley decided to change his career to teaching. “I traded in guarding nuclear weapons and guarding the President to mentor and help our newest resources,” Bentley said. “You are our future and our future leaders.”
Many student groups were directly involved in making the program a success. The guests of honor were escorted by the GJHS Student Ambassadors, Mrs. Melissa Knight’s Art students decorated the GISD Auditorium foyer with patriotic work, and members of the F.L.A.G. program respectfully presented the flags. The event included a variety of performances by the GJHS Choirs, under the direction of Mr. Sutton Hennessy, including the National Anthem and the traditional hymns of each branch of the armed services.
Mr. Hardin’s words of advice for the students were to thank a Veteran by volunteering. “Do your part and volunteer,” he said. “It is our responsibility to leave this earth better than when we got here. That is our obligation.”
Prior to the program on Veterans Day, students were provided with classroom instruction on the history and meaning of the holiday and how it compares to Memorial Day. They were exposed to traditions associated with the day such as the annual ceremony that takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery with the U.S. President. Classroom instruction also included learning about the six branches of the military including their history.
Student learning was enhanced during the program as each guest veteran spoke to the assembled crowd about the branch in which they served and their time in the service. They shared moving recollections of how they came to enlist, details about their training experiences, and stories of their time on duty including the many places to which they traveled. They also shared how their time in the military prepared them for a better life after the service.
As part of the Seabees battalion, Joseph Denney explained how he was in the Navy and never stepped foot on a ship. “We did all the construction for Navy projects,” he said. “After hurricane Katrina, we rebuilt schools and ship ports”. One note that Denney reiterated was that the kind of men and women you meet in the military “will be your friends for life.”
“I know that many of the students in the room were moved just as I was,” said Paula Moore, GISD Administrator. “And just maybe, they will know and understand just a few of the sacrifices made for them to live and grow up in this amazing country.”
Principal Krista Beal closed the program with some memories of growing up in a military family and asked that we not only recognize the sacrifices of our veterans, but also the sacrifices their families make.
“We are so grateful to Coach Torres for initiating this event,” said Mrs. Beal. “It has been wonderful to see our student body come together to celebrate the service of adults in their lives and others in the community.”
The event was a tremendous success and was felt by many. It is sure to be the first of many Veterans Day celebrations at GJHS.
Kevin Bentley US Air Force- 15 years
