Veteran’s Day a Special Time for Walkersville Community

by Taylor Seabolt for Walkersville High School Lion’s Pride

Today is a very special day as the Walkersville High School community comes together to celebrate Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a national holiday in which we honor all United States veterans.

Social studies teacher Paul Hoffman has had his time in action being former a U.S. Army and U.S. Army reserves veteran so Veterans Day means a little something extra to him, “Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th each year in the United States. That date has connections to the agreement to stop fighting during World War I on November 11th, 1918.  American veterans who returned from ‘the Great War’ had minimal support from the U.S. Government, including some disability and medical programs. Support for veterans has come a long way since then. After World War II, the G.I. Bill was added to provide government paid tuition benefits, and government-backed home loan guarantees for all veterans.

“Although there were several federal agencies established to worked with veterans after World War I,  they became consolidated into the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989 under Presidents Reagan and Bush Senior. Today there are numerous VA hospitals to provide medical care and counseling services to veterans, and there are numerous programs to help veterans integrate back into society once their service is finished.  Still, there is more work to be done as veterans often wait too long for the services they need.”
Hoffman had a first hand account of what it means to be a man that serves his country. “A veteran is anyone who served in the armed services under any branch. While veterans such as myself  don’t ask to be thanked, it is always appreciated and good to know that people acknowledge the service to our country. Not all veterans have fought in wars, but there is always that possibility. During their service, veterans spend many days, weeks and months away from their families, and often work long hours during training exercises in preparation to defend our country’s freedoms and rights.”

Hoffman continued by giving some advice on how to make Veterans Day memorable to everyone.  “Consider starting a tradition on Veterans Day. It could be attending a parade or event to honor vets, placing a visible green light on display at your house, spending some extra quality time with a family member who served, or just saying thank-you to a vet you know. It all makes a difference and contributes a sense of unity, which is needed in our country today.”

Many students and staff know veterans who have served or are serving in their family. We thank them for their unconditional patriotism and commitment to protect our country. “My grandfathers and great grandfathers were veterans. I think it’s special to have an entire day to recognize all of the men and women who have served or are serving in the military and to thank them for their service,” said junior Emily Sims.

“My dad actually came to this country as an immigrant to serve in the military. He was really proud to serve and I’m proud that he did,” said special education teacher Colleen Nester.

The sacrifices veterans make for our country are absolutely unbelievable. Walkersville High school alumni Charles Cartwright was a football player and a wrestler for WHS. Unfortunately Cartwright passed away on November 7th, 2009 fighting for our country, but he is not forgotten. Highway 194 was dedicated to Charles Cartwright for the ultimate sacrifice of his life. “He was one of the best; he saved a lot of lives that day,” aquatic teacher Susan Pardo said.

Every year Pardo organizes for the community of WHS to set out flags bordering the entrance in honor of our past, present and future veterans. Many teachers and classes have assisted Pardo in assuring the honor is carried out such as Jennifer Kendro’s unified physical education class, a class of art teacher Amy Graunke, and theater teacher Heather McFadden’s classes.

“Well I’m an army wife, my husband was a veteran for 22 years in the military and I also have a long history of family that’s worked in the military. I think it is a day that we need to honor the men who are serving, will serve or have served. We live in a free country — it is the least we can do,” said Pardo.

There are a lot of different ways to celebrate Veterans Day in order to honor veterans who have fought or who are still fighting today, for those who will fight.

A Veterans Day commemoration ceremony will be held in Sharpsburg beginning at 11am. It will be held at Sharpsburg Elementary School. Middletown Elementary is hosting a Veterans Day celebration from 11am to 2pm; there will be activities and games as well as food and beverages. The celebration will be held in Memorial Park. The Woodsboro American Legion will hold its annual Veterans Day celebration on Sunday starting at 9:30am ending at 1:30pm. The parade will begin at Mount Hope cemetery and continue down Main Street.

Many offices will be closed November 11th, 2016 including the U.S Postal Service, community action agency, and food banks. Parking meters and parking decks will be free on this commemorative holiday. However, the William R. Talley Recreation Center will be open as well as the soup kitchen from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

Spend your Veterans Day with family and friends, and honor those who have sacrificed so much for this country. “It’s a very special day dedicated to the people who have given more to this country than most,” said junior Linsey Winpigler.

“The day gives me time to recognize my grandparents and others who have served they don’t get enough recognition because it’s in the past,” said junior Garrett Broadhurst.

“One of my great grandfathers fought in World War Two and my other great grandfather fought in the Korean War it’s a really special day to honor those who have put their lives on the line to protect our country and everyone in it,” said junior Troy Hurley.

“It’s really important to me because it honors people who have fought in our country it’s a way for America to thank them,” said Sims.

“We take time out of this day to observe the people who have served our country to make us safe we don’t need a Veterans Day to appreciate everything they have done for us,” said coach Erick Greene.

“I’m a little upset that we don’t have school off because it’s a day we do honor our veterans, a day we take to spend time with our loved ones every person who has military friends and family should call them and thank them,” said junior Joe Goline.

WHS wishes everyone a happy Veterans Day and encourages the community to attend celebrations honoring our beloved veterans.