Instead of taking the day off school, the Mahomet-Seymour School District celebrated and honored hundreds of Veterans through in-school programs Monday.
Mahomet-Seymour School District was one of the first districts to attend school on Veterans’ Day nearly 20 years ago.
The MSHS student council and Lincoln Trail staff served refreshments for Veterans before their respective ceremonies. MSHS student council also donated $1,250 to the Wounded Warrior program.
Chief Petty Officer Dan McAlpine talked to students about his 20 years of service in the Navy. Growing up in a small town in Central Illinois, McAlpine said he while he was a good student, school did not interest him, and he also felt alienated.
After graduating from high school, McAlpine dropped out of college in his second semester and wandered throughout the United States as a homeless man until he saw an advertisement for the United States Navy in Colorado. He drove back to Springfield, Ill. to tell the recruitment officer he was tired of being a successful homeless man.
Seeing the pride the recruitment officer had from being a part of the military, McAlpine enlisted in the Navy. He said when he put his uniform on he felt like he belonged to something bigger than himself. McAlpine told the students he still feels this way today.
McAlpine also told a story about rescuing a tattered fishing boat at sea. He said some view him as a hero for what his unit did that day. After serving in 20 countries, including two wars and as a rescue during the Hurricane Katrina disaster, McAlpine said there are heroes all around. He told students a hero is someone who knows the right thing to do when trouble comes their way.
As a recruitment officer, McAlpine now visits many high schools in the Central Illinois area. While at MSHS students took time away from their lunch to come up to the recruitment table to thank him for his service. McAlpine spoke at MSHS today to thank students for understanding and appreciating what Veterans have done for this country. He said students in other schools do not greet him in the same manner.
Students at Sangamon filled the tiny gymnasium with over 85 Veterans this morning. The children listened patiently as each Veteran introduced themselves before they performed songs.
Sangamon Principal Mark Cabutti talked to the students about the freedoms American children enjoy each day. He said while teachers tell students what to do each day, children in other countries do not have the opportunity to choose what they wear, where they go or what they have. Cabutti stressed the importance of school, and being safe at school because of the sacrifice Veterans have made.
Lincoln Trail Principal Jeff Starwalt said Veterans’ Day is a way to gain an appreciation and understanding of what Veterans have sacrificed so Americans can enjoy the freedoms they expect today. In a tribute to Vietnam, fifth grade students played their recorders, read “The Wall” aloud, and shared a drawing slideshow to “There is a Hero” by Billy Gilman.
Lincoln Trail also donated $2,573 to the Honor Flight program. Funds were raised through the staff auction, student raffle and “Hats off to Veterans” last week.
Captain Kim Lund took MSJHS students on a humorous and historical call to war story this afternoon. Lund described the conditions of troop preparing to invade Haiti while peace talks were taking place.
Lund’s unit was not deployed. Instead another unit, including her husband, was deployed for two months on a peace keeping mission.
Through the Army ROTC program at Penn State University, Lund learned how to be a leader, both in the military and in the marketplace. She shared realistic expectations of Cadets, and talked about the training she went through.
Lund said people will follow those they respect. She told students in order to gain respect, it is important for people to show respect to others through learning their name and their story. Lund said a leader needs to be competent and confident while also willing to do everything required by those underneath the leadership.
In this, Lund said a leader may not always be liked, but they will always be respected.
MSJHS also donated $200 to the Wounded Warrior program.
