This year, Coronado Middle School celebrated Veterans Day by participating in the national “Bring a Veteran to School Day” event on Thursday, November 10.
Sponsored by Time Warner Cable and The History Channel, “Bring a Veteran to School Day” honors America’s heroes while providing the opportunity for students to hear their stories firsthand and learn more about why we celebrate Veterans Day. Over fifty special guests attended the event, and each first-period class got to hear 1-2 veterans speak about their lives and service.
The day began with a continental breakfast in Granzer hall for veterans, staff, and visitors, and was hosted by the Parent Teacher Organization. As the breakfast wrapped up, guests enjoyed a special 10-minute KCMS live news broadcast which featured Veteran speakers (including former USMC Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch and his well-known story of being severely wounded in Fallujah), Time Warner Cable and History Channel representatives, and a montage of students expressing their gratitude for the veterans’ service.
Attendees enjoying breakfast before the KCMS broadcast
Following the KCMS broadcast, members of ASB gathered the veteran speakers and the groups dispersed to their designated first-period classrooms. In Kelly Sailers’ class, former US Marine Corps infantryman and sniper Dave Austin spoke about his time in the Gulf War and the Middle East, an ambush that left him wounded while on a sniper mission in Panama, and his duty of presenting the flag to fallen soldiers’ next-of-kin.
In addition to his stories, Dave brought a folded flag, an enlisted non-commissioned officer’s sword, Marine-issue “woolly pully” (a green woolen pullover sweater), and a Centennial Bugle to share with the class.
Dave Austin speaking to the class
Classes then migrated to Coronado High School’s neighboring Niedermeyer Field around 9:00am to finish the event with a parachute demonstration with Tactical Air Operations. Roughly ten parachutists sailed overhead and landed on a bullseye centered on the field, for an amazing spectacle that was much enjoyed by the crowd. Along with CMS, students from Village Elementary and CHS got to enjoy the parachute demonstration as well.
More parachute jump videos here
Students and teachers alike seemed thrilled to have this experience brought to CMS, and guests were more than happy to share their stories. Since schools tend to celebrate Veterans Day by simply taking the day off, “Bring a Veteran to School Day” was a great way to honor the heroes behind the holiday.
To learn more about this national event, visit The History Channel’s site here
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