Is it just me or was this Veterans Day more poignant than in years past? It all started on Tuesday when The Donoho School recognized veterans with a touching ceremony that began with the posting of the flags by the Jacksonville State University ROTC and followed with the singing of patriotic songs from our choir. Former teacher and retired Colonel Pete Eschrig framed the heart of the program by asking us to listen to the words of the song being sung. I had never taken the time to really digest the meaning of the words, “land of the free and home of the brave.” When asked to internalize those words, I felt a chord being plucked deep inside me.
Our guest speaker, Captain Kuszniaj, was graduated from high school the same year as my son, so I could only imagine how his parents must have felt when he left home to go to Afghanistan with only the hope that one day he would return safely. His speech was meaningful, but more striking was his self-confident stature and unassuming pride of being an American serving and defending those who may never understand that their protected lives are safeguarded by his willingness to put his life on the line for the preservation of their “freedom.” As I looked around the room, many of our students were crying as were many adults in the room including myself. One cannot stage these teaching moments, they just happen.
I experienced another poignant moment Wednesday when I traveled with the choir to watch their performance at Autumn Cove, an assisted living facility here in Anniston. Since it was Veterans Day, the students sang patriotic songs and presented flags representing the divisions of service to those veterans who had served in past wars. I noticed several of my students crying as they sang. I learned from a student after their performance that they were brought to tears by watching the veterans sitting before them, singing, crying, and proudly waving their flags. One student remarked, “Geez, I’m a guy and I still cried.”
I am so proud to be an American. I am equally proud to work with these students at The Donoho School.
Jan Hurd
President
