At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, World War I came to an end. Each year on November 11th, this moment in history is remembered, originally as Armistice Day and now as Veterans Day, to honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation. At OLHMS, we proudly extend our gratitude to all Veterans, with special recognition for those from the Oak Lawn and Hometown communities.
On Friday, November 7th, OLHMS held its annual Veterans Day Assembly to celebrate the dedication, courage, and patriotism of our country’s heroes. More than 35 Veterans attended the event, warmly greeted by the OLHMS 8th Grade Student Ambassadors.
The ceremony began with Mrs. Sara Tlusty introducing the Richards High School NJROTC, who presented the Colors. Zahaira, Gavin, and Ishamaley then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The OLHMS Concert Band, Concert Chorus, and Sunrise Singers followed with a powerful rendition of the National Anthem. Nolan introduced his older brother, Noah, a D123 graduate and member of the Richards NJROTC, who shared insight into the NJROTC program.
In a moving tribute, 8th Grade Ambassadors Nathan and Moises honored each Veteran by reading their names aloud, recognizing both those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Following the tribute, the musical groups performed “Armed Forces – The Pride of America!” by Larry Clark and Greg Gilpin, celebrating the five branches of the United States military: Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. They also delivered a powerful rendition of “The Gettysburg Address” arranged by Michael Story and concluded with the heartfelt “A Song for the Unsung Hero” by Pamela and Joseph M. Martin.
Guest speakers Mr. Frank Finnegan, Mr. Terry Vorderer, and Det. Craig Zelhart delivered heartfelt reflections on their military experiences, offering students and guests a meaningful look into the lives and sacrifices of Veterans.
8th grader Zahaira reflected on the significance of the day, sharing, “Veterans Day is a very special day to honor those who have served for our country. They have taken time apart from their personal lives to protect us and our country instead. They all have my utmost respect. This day is very special to me because not only am I able to honor those who have sadly fallen, but I have the opportunity to sing songs to represent those who fought for us. At the end of the day, Veterans Day is not a day that I will ever forget. I always plan on celebrating it, even if it means putting a hand over my chest and appreciating them for what they have done. It's not an easy career to do, so I give it to all of those who pushed through it and fought for our country. Thank you to all Veterans. We really appreciate you all!”
In a solemn moment, Jack paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Fallen Soldier Table. The ceremony concluded with “Taps,” performed by OLHMS Concert Band musician Tucker, honoring those who gave their lives in service to our nation.
A sincere thank you goes to Mrs. Georgelos, Mr. Mamolella, and all who contributed their time and effort to make this year’s Veterans Day Assembly a memorable success. Most importantly, OLHMS extends its deepest appreciation to all Veterans- Thank you for your service, courage, and sacrifice.
