A member of Sky Dive San Diego lands on Coronado’s High School Football Field at a past “Take A Veteran To School Day.” Last year high winds prevented the jump from taking place, but this year the skydivers plan to again land in Coronado, on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 9:45 a.m. Photo by Sky Dive San Diego.
One of the most anticipated traditions in Coronado occurs this time of year as the Coronado Middle School honors our veterans. Not since the middle of the last century has this country felt such a national surge of appreciation for our veterans.
The event is called “Take A Veteran To School Day,” and takes place this Thursday, Nov. 10. Coronado Middle School teacher Amy Steward will again spearhead the occasion. Take A Vet To School Day is generously supported by local businesses such as Post 2422 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Nearly 50 military veterans will assemble at CMS to meet students and share their amazing stories. The entire event is designed to bring greater attention to our veterans, and instill an enhanced level of awareness and appreciation in schoolchildren for the job our veterans have done.
Highlights of the day include a parachute jump high above the Coronado High School football field. The Coronado VFW has donated funds to help make the parachute jump possible, making this the VFW’s seventh consecutive year of sponsorship for this very special cause.
“Take A Veteran To School Day is extremely important to us at the VFW,” said Michael Turner, spokesman for VFW Post 2422. “Over the years we’ve celebrated our many veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East conflicts, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. This forum brings the focus of attention to all veterans (many of whom are parents of these children). And how wonderful that we can introduce their importance to such a young audience.”
Take A Veteran To School Day begins at 7:20 a.m. with the arrival of veterans from every war beginning with World War II. A continental breakfast will be held, followed by a special program prepared by the middle school students and the KCMS news team of young reporters and filmmakers.
This year, as the City of Coronado dedicates the Naked Warrior statue honoring the rich 70-year history of the U.S. Navy SEALs in our community, a KCMS news broadcast will be aired paying tribute to the long and honorable legacy of our Navy SEALs.
Following the KCMS broadcast, forty-two veterans will then break up into pairs to visit and speak in every homeroom classroom on campus.
At the conclusion of the program, a special tribute has been arranged as the veterans and students make their way on to the Coronado High School football field for presentations and a Color Guard ceremony, and to witness the parachute jump.
Last year, following the very moving classroom discussions, veterans posed for a group photo in the auditorium. Meanwhile, outside, all 1,800 children formed a two-sided path meandering from the campus across the street to the football field, where the ROTC Color Guard waited.
As veterans came out of the auditorium they were astonished at the heartwarming response from the students awaiting them. Along this gauntlet of appreciation, each veteran was greeted with high fives, handshakes, applause, and screams of joy; and of course, more than a few hugs here and there.
This highly anticipated event is no longer just a celebration, but a seed of awareness and appreciation in Steward’s young students that is growing wildly with each subsequent generation.
“Take a Veteran to School Day is about teaching history, patriotism, and pride in our schools, community and nation,” said Steward. “If my students learn nothing else from me, I will have been a successful teacher. This is our way of celebrating our veterans and helping others understand the sacrifices they and their families make every day.” More than 40% of the CMS student-body hails from military families.
The parachute jump takes place at 9:45 a.m., and the community is invited to attend that part of the program. Members of Sky Diving Innovations will jump from their airplane high above Coronado, with the parachute team landing on the high school football field.
The History Channel, Time Warner Cable and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2422 are the sponsors of this program. Coronado Middle School hosts the event.
Several moving videos and documentaries about veterans will be shared during a broadcast created by Steward’s Television Broadcast students. The entire broadcast will air at a later date on Coronado’s Time Warner (now Spectrum) Cable – Channel 19, and can be found at www.coronadotv.me.
Take a Veteran to School Day began in 2007 and is a national program developed by the History Channel to link veterans with students across the country. Schools and communities invite veterans to share their stories and receive thanks for their service. While the program is available year around, most schools create events surrounding the celebration of Veterans’ Day.
The skydivers are from Sky Diving Innovations. First Command Financial Services paid for the aircraft. Most of the jumpers are also veterans.
VFW Post Commander Chuck Lucas will also participate in Take a Veteran To School Day, both as a veteran and as head of our local VFW post. Coronado VFW Post 2422 also made a major donation this week to the city of Coronado to assist in the promotion and unveiling of “The Naked Warrior” statue in Glorietta Bay Park Nov. 11.
The Coronado VFW has been first in line to support our military since its inception. Coronado VFW Post 2422 is located at 557 Orange Avenue. For more information visit www.vfwpost2422.com.
To better understand the lofty goals of this promotion, view the link below showcasing a past Veteran’s Day/Take A Veteran To School Day: http://coronadotv.me/community–3/12102014-998
