Veterans were honored at the seventh annual Veterans Day Celebration held at Spring Forest Middle School.

President George W. Bush’s letter to the nation’s schools on Veterans Day: “I send greetings to American students and teachers celebrating Veterans Day. Our nation’s veterans are drawn from many generations and from many backgrounds. These selfless patriots have set a standard of bravery and idealism for mankind and earned the deep respect and admiration of a grateful nation. “Mrs. Bush and I appreciate your efforts to observe this special day and honor America’s veterans. We encourage you to fly the flag, participate in patriotic activities, and learn more about our country and the men and women who defended her. Best wishes for a memorable Veterans Day. May God bless you, our troops and veterans, and our wonderful country.”

More Veterans Day stories here

Hundreds of military veterans and their families were honored Nov. 9 during the seventh annual Veterans Day Celebration and Breakfast held at Spring Forest Middle School, 14240 Memorial Drive.

One highlight of this year’s celebration, bigger than ever in size, scope and planning, was a live video conference session in the school gym with several young Marines from Texas who are serving in Iraq near Fallujah, about 40 miles west of Baghdad on the Euphrates River.

Students quizzed the Marines about their daily lives, their families and how they signed up. “I’d always wanted to be a soldier since I was a little kid. I followed through with my dream,” Cpl. Gleich of Conroe told those gathered in the Spring Forest Middle gym.

Lance Cpl. Anderson, an Elkins High School graduate, joined the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “The biggest difference between my life now and before is free time,” he said. He has much less of it today.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Veterans Day, which traces back to Nov. 11, 1921, and the memorial burial service for an unknown American soldier held at Arlington Cemetery near Washington, D.C. In 1952, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill that changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

Spring Forest Middle students and staff applauded and cheered the young Marines. Earlier in the assembly, they showered about 75 veterans with a standing ovation until each honoree who had served in peace time or during World War II, Korea, Vietnam or the Gulf War was seated with their particular service branch – Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy or Coast Guard.

Before the assembly, about 250 veterans and family members attended a hearty breakfast sponsored by the campus PTA. The school library was decorated in patriotic colors, stars and service-related photographs of local military men and women.

Middle school students escorted veterans and their families from the school parking lots to the library breakfast.

Titled “Celebrating Our Country’s Heroes,” the patriotic assembly included prepared remarks by student speakers, performances by the school’s band, choir and orchestra, a short theater group presentation, and a PowerPoint slide show featuring photographs of local veterans.

A student trumpeter performed Reveille early in the assembly. Taps was performed near the end. Navy JROTC program students from The Guthrie Center presented the colors. Campus Principal Shawn Bird introduced veterans and read a brief summary about their military service.

The student-led program extolled the Spring Branch-area residents. The program’s masters of ceremonies were Student Council Co-Presidents Austin Stephens and Will Lynde and National Jr. Honor Society President Riley Bradshaw and Vice President Julia Green.

“We proudly salute our military today, those who have served in the past, and those who are currently serving across the globe,” Boy Scout Matthew Greene said during the Presentation of Colors program. “Let us remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms that we so cherish in America.”

“We especially salute the 4,250 soldiers who have perished in the current war on terror in both Iraq and Afghanistan We also want to remember the thousands of soldiers who have been wounded in combat.”

“We can never repay our debt of gratitude to the more than 655,000 American service members who have died defending our country, or the more than 1.5 million who have been wounded,” said Julia Green, National Jr. Honor Society vice president. “We can, however, thank the 17 million veterans who are living today.”

Guest speaker was Army Staff Sgt. Otis Cobb II

The assembly’s guest speaker was Army Staff Sgt. Otis Cobb II of Houston, a 14-year veteran who is station commander at the Memorial City Mall military recruiting station. “So many people walk up to me and say, ‘Thank you for all that you do.’ It is my comrades serving overseas in 120-degree weather that we are really honoring here,” he said.

In related events, Spring Forest Middle students collected donations for the group Hometown Heroes, which supports returning American soldiers. Anne Lacy, who has taught 37 years at the middle school, and her husband, Roger, donated antique flags to the school in memory of family members who have served in the military.

Heritage Texas Properties sponsored the Veterans Day Celebration. Realtor Robin Mueck was presented with a special plaque to honor her office’s generous support.

Tiger TV slide show of veterans photos

posted 11-15-07