Addie Johnson

Students drew chalk art in honor of Veterans day. This is just one of many things the school does to show appreciation to veterans, and the art will remain in the courtyard as a reminder of all of the veterans who served their country. “On veteran’s day, I think it’s a great thing we do at school to honor people that served [who are] at our school or family members,” English teacher and cheer coach Nadira King said. “It makes me feel proud, and it makes me remember the [veterans].”

Red, white, and blue flags line the streets. Stars of recognition hang on the walls of the school. Music honoring veterans all over the world fills the air. 

From parents to grandparents to children, there are many relatives of students and teachers who have served their country. Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day, was a day to show appreciation for and recognize veterans. 

“I [like to] show appreciation to other veterans by learning their stories and how they’ve served their country,” senior Claire Johnson said. “It’s hard to show appreciation to relatives who aren’t around anymore, but I think it’s important to share stories and keep their memory alive. It’s pretty interesting to hear about all the things my grandpa did.”

Johnson’s grandfather served in the Vietnam war and fought in the battle of Maury. He survived being under siege for over eight hours.

“My grandpa is important to me,” Johnson said. “He passed [away] long before I was born, but I think it’s important to remember family members who worked to protect people. He was a brave and hardworking man, from what I’ve heard from my mom and grandma.”

Although she didn’t get to know her grandfather personally, Johnson said that she still appreciates and recognizes the service of all veterans because of his time in the military.

“Being related to a veteran has helped me understand how much veterans sacrifice to protect their country,” Johnson said. “Going into the military to serve is an incredibly time-consuming job that takes many people away from their families.“

Johnson isn’t the only one who said she appreciates veterans. English teacher and Cheer coach Nadira King said that she also respects and honors all veterans’ service because of the stories she has heard of her relatives. When her father served, he was moved into the medic’s area, where he had to put bodies into body bags. She said this was very traumatic for him.  

“[His time in the military is] a part of him that I’ll never fully understand,” King said. “If you’re not there, you don’t have those experiences. It’s just a part of their lives that we don’t really know about and has shaped the people they became.”

King said that although his father went through a lot of hard things during his time in the military, he still tried his best to focus on serving others. 

“My dad risked his life to save people in a helicopter,” King said. “He got a bronze star. I have a lot of pride in that while he was serving, he tried to help people and tried to do good.”

Teacher Joy Kulis has many veteran relatives, and said that her son, who is currently serving in the military, is also very willing to help others even while not wearing his uniform.

“He has a lot of energy,” Kulis said. “He likes things to be happening, things to be going on. And so anytime [anyone asks,] ‘hey, anybody wanna volunteer?’ He raises his hand. He doesn’t care what it is for.”

Kulis said she values veterans and believes that it is good for everyone to show their appreciation for them. She said that she wants them to feel respected and recognized.

“I appreciate a lot of what they do,” Kulis said. “It’s a very noble profession. Continuing to remember and think of ways to say thank you just when you run into veterans in public, either in uniform or out of uniform, being extra respectful to them and maybe even asking their stories or asking names so that they feel like they’re still part of the community and that they’re still being honored is very important.”