At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, World War I came to an end. This day, known as Armistice Day and now celebrated as Veterans Day, is honored each November 11th in tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. At OLHMS, we express our sincere gratitude to all Veterans, with a special appreciation for those within the Oak Lawn and Hometown communities.
On Friday, November 8th, OLHMS held its annual Veterans Day assembly to honor the patriotism and sacrifice of these heroes. Over 50 Veterans attended the ceremony, welcomed by OLHMS 8th Grade Student Ambassadors. Dr. Sean McNichols, OLHMS Principal, opened the event with a warm welcome to Veterans and the OLHMS community.
The Richards High School NJROTC presented the Colors, leading into the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. In a moving tribute, 8th Grade Ambassadors Gabby, Evelyn, and Calvin read the names of each Veteran to honor them, both living and fallen. The OLHMS Concert Chorus and Sunrise Singers then performed “Armed Forces – The Pride of America!” by Larry Clark and Greg Gilpin, paying homage to the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Following this performance, Mr. Terry Vorderer shared a reflection on his experiences as a Veteran.
8th Grade Ambassador Fabian then delivered a heartfelt recitation of “Thank You to Our Veterans,” a poem he dedicated to his father, who served in the Army for more than 15 years. After his touching dedication, the OLHMS Concert Band performed, and Sgt. Jake Witt delivered a powerful Veteran’s Reflection. In a solemn moment, Charlie W. honored fallen soldiers at the Fallen Soldier Table. The assembly concluded with “Taps,” presented by Mr. Steve Imig, an Army Veteran from the 6th Army Headquarters.
A special thank you goes to Mrs. Georgelos, Mr. Mamolella, and all those who dedicated countless hours to make our Veterans Day Assembly a meaningful success. Most importantly, we extend our deepest gratitude to our Veterans—thank you for your service.