Students at Robert G. Cole Middle School brought a veteran with them to honor veterans and their Families during “Take a Vet to School Day” Nov. 10.
The school partnered with the History Channel and Time Warner Cable for the “Take a Vet to School Day” national campaign, which links veterans with young people in schools and communities, and includes curriculum for students that “enhances the learning of veterans’ experiences and their contributions to society,” according to Laura Aplin, communications manager for Time Warner Cable.
The rights and freedoms Americans have today are because of the nation’s veterans, said Texas State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio), chair of the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee, to students, veterans and faculty at the event.
“The only reason we can do those things is because of the price that has been paid, generation after generation, by our veterans,” Van de Putte said. “Our country is strong, our state is strong and our communities are strong because of the men and women that have served in the armed forces.”
Brig. Gen. Manuel Ortiz, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army South, thanked veterans and their families for their service.
“In my opinion, ‘veteran’ is a title; it is a title of respect, it’s a title they’ve earned,” Ortiz said. “Right next door to Cole is a national cemetery — it’s hard to find the words, not only for those who’ve served, but also for the families of those who’ve served.”
The Cole Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps color guard began the day with a presentation of the colors, and the Cole Middle School band performed the songs of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Van de Putte went down the row of veterans and active duty service members to personally thank each member and to present each with her challenge coin, a military tradition.
For the service members at the assembly, seated in front of their children, the day was special.
“It meant a lot to me,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher Silva, 4th Recon Battalion, Fort Sam Houston. “My son, he’s proud of his dad and he asked me to come — and it’s the Marine Corps birthday.”
The assembly was also an important lesson for the students.
“I think it showed our children that our service members matter and that they help protect our freedom,” said Stephanie Velasquez, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Guadalupe Velasquez, U.S. Army North.
Guadalupe Velasquez said their daughter, Alexandria, was very moved by the assembly.
“She’s in tears,” he said. “She was very excited.”
School district personnel were grateful for the opportunity to recognize veterans and their Families, said Gail Siller, Fort Sam Houston Independent School District superintendent.
“Words cannot express the gratitude we have for the men and women who have served, or are currently in harm’s way, for the sake of freedom,” Siller said. “As students and their veterans or active duty guests were introduced and honored, it was evident military service was reflected across generations.”
