A Veterans Celebration

Schools honor Vets in ceremony

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“How many of you were born in 2001 and after?” asked Captain Jason Nunn.

A Chatham County native and 2002 graduate of Northwood High School, Nunn posed the question to a gym packed with high school and middle school students at Chatham Charter School in Siler City last Thursday.

One by one, hands were raised.

“To those of you born in 2001 and after, for your entire life, the United States has been at war,” Nunn said.

As the guest speaker for Chatham Charter School’s annual ceremony to honor military service, Nunn illustrated the necessity and relevance of veterans and active military in the modern world.

“I know that everyone here has a perspective on freedom. Whatever freedoms that you enjoy, it is my job, the job of other service men and women, and veterans to defend that freedom,” Nunn said.

The school has held the ceremony for the past four years for high school students. This year, the ceremony expanded to include elementary and middle school students.
“I would challenge you to speak to a veteran. Thank them. Ask them their story. Ask them why they do it. To me, talking to a veteran is the best way to educate yourself about the spirit of Veteran’s Day,” Nunn said.

Prior to Nunn’s speech, the ceremony began with a Presentation of the Colors by the Eastern Randolph High School ROTC.

Cliff Tilly played “The Star-Spangled Banner” on trumpet, emphasized in the closing notes by three live cannon rounds fired outside the gymnasium.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by a familiar face to Chatham Charter School: Logan Shoun. Shoun graduated from the school in 2017, and now serves as a specialist in the National Guard.

During the opening comments of the ceremony, event coordinator and Chatham Charter teacher Michelle Hayhurst thanked military personnel for their service.

“I would sincerely like to thank our veterans for protecting our freedoms and our liberties,” Michelle Hayhurst said. “I hope that you truly appreciate what our veterans do and have done for all of us,” Hayhurst said to the students.

The goal of the event was to honor the individuals who have served or who are currently serving in the U.S. military. School officials hope that students also gain a better understanding of how the skills learned during the military service can be an asset in civilian life.

“I think it’s so important for the students to remember that all of the freedoms that they have did not come for free. People paid a price for that freedom, and continue to pay a price,” said Dr. John Eldridge, Chatham Charter’s Head of School.

“They not only saw and spoke with veterans, but they also see him [Shoun], who was sitting where they did just a couple of years ago. I think it really puts it into perspective for them,” Eldridge said.

Students started the day by meeting with veterans and active duty military in the high school lobby. Some veterans read military-themed books to students in elementary classrooms. Another group of veterans shared stories and experiences with high school students.

In addition to the ceremony, one of the school clubs at Chatham Charter, Knights in Service, packs care packages for active duty military personnel as part of its service activities.

Veterans Day, Chatham Charter, Captain Jason Nunn