With all that has been going on lately, (and going on so well, by the way!), I was concerned about how we would recognize Veteran's Day with our students in all the hub-bub. So, I was extremely heartened to hear the first thing announced on Monday morning was that it was Veteran's Day. We opened our Leadership Symposium by remembering our Veterans with some information and thoughts, followed by a student reading of the poem Flanders Field. It was actually the perfect time to remember our Veterans, who have exhibited such incredible leadership, as a way to open our Symposium. I was thankful that this correlation was made explicitly, as well as implicitly, as the military was represented by Jonathan Baron '95 in one of the break out sessions during the day.
I then got to my email this morning, a bit of a stockpile after some very busy days at school, and found this message to our students from one of our alumni faculty members who is himself a Veteran, Nate Meleo '95. Nate reminded us all, "Veteran's Day is a day set aside on the anniversary of the end of World War I to pause and reflect on those who have served and continue to serve in the military. It is not a day meant at all to justify or glorify war; but rather a day to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform in service of their nation, regardless of what country they are from."
He went on to share with our students and community about the Veterans in our midst day-to-day: "Did you know Mr. Duffy served in the US Marine Corps and Mr. Cobbold was in the UK Royal Navy for two years? Did you know Mr. Roller, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Pardo were all in the US Army and that Mr. Salit served in the US Navy?" He then encouraged us to reach out and share our thanks for their service.
So, following Nate's lead: I wanted to thank the many, many Tabor alumni who have served our country so that we could remain free. Our freedom to decide what and where to study, what to believe, who to vote for, what languages to learn, where to travel, what to wear, say, read, write...the list is endless, and often taken for granted. Our freedom as individuals, and as a school, is so precious, and it is right to thank the people who have fought and served to defend that value for us all.
A final gift I will share with you from Nate is a touching video he included in his email to students, sent to him from a friend, perhaps in thanks. It illustrates many things, but one take-away I thought was important for our students was a way to open the dialogue that some feel may be simply too personal to speak about. At about two minutes long, it is worth watching, and perhaps sending along to a Veteran you are proud of. I hope you enjoy it in a quiet moment as I did today, even if it is a day after Veteran's Day. Afterall, we can be grateful and say thanks every day.
Happy Veteran's Day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2L3skZ7FEw
Thanks for sharing, Nate!
