Letter: Worthington's schools shine on Veterans Day

Talk about it

I want to commend the Worthington School District for putting on an excellent Veterans Day program again this year. I was present at the middle school and high school events and heard from other veterans who were at the elementary school. There were a good number of vets at these programs, including Duane Anderson’s father, an Army combat vet who survived Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and a Nazi POW camp! This was the first year I did not cry at Cindy and Duane’s rendition of the song “Letters from War.”

Mrs. McGaughey’s work with the middle school students resulted in a truly moving tribute to veterans, including our local units, who were given posters designed by the middle school students. Mrs. McGaughey has more than just an interest in veterans, as her brother is an active duty vet currently serving in southwest Asia. I get the strong sense she would be doing this, anyway. She is a great patriot.

I spend a good deal of time in the schools, and kids ask me questions about the military often. One student asked me if you got a medal for killing someone in combat. My answer was, of course, no; you only get them for saving a life. I know when I was a kid I played a good share of “Army” and built many warplane and warship models. When I enlisted, my adult mentors — who included many veterans and “Rosie the Riveters” — instilled in me the true meaning of being a patriot and good soldier/sailor by their actions and words. Kids today spend a great deal of time playing the combat video games, and get the impression that the real thing is somehow fun and glorious. Good soldiers, sailors and airmen/airwomen are good citizens and good team players who, on occasion, act heroically.

Lastly, there are many ways to serve your country besides serving in the military. The obvious people we look to are policemen and women, firefighters, ministers, etc. If you do something good for someone other than yourself every day, you are a good citizen and patriot.

Proud to be a part of the Worthington school district —

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