A day off of school, a day of freedom! I hope that you really put thought into the word freedom today. How we go through our lives, running errands to Target, getting on the school bus, eating dinner as a family, and we rarely stop and think...who provided and sustains this freedom for us. We were blessed to have over 70 veterans join us for Take a Veteran to School Day on Tuesday at Gilchrist. We paraded them through the hallways (thanks to Ida), asked them thought provoking questions, and celebrated them with a reception. One question that was asked by a student was, "Do you think Americans take freedom for granted?" The group of men and woman said, "YES," in unison. I've learned that it takes very little to make a Veteran happy, just a simply "thank you."
Be grateful for, pray for, and make scarifices for those who are and have protected our freedom.
To see pictures of the day, visit www.stacycarlton.com
I am sharing my words from the day because my grandpa checks our blog and I want him to be able to read this!
So by now you probably have figured out why our campus is overflowing with Veterans. A veteran by definition is simply a person who has served in a military force; however, we know that being a veteran is much more complex than that. It means sometimes giving up your youth, missing holidays and birthdays, it means being miles away from loved ones, it means protecting school children just like the ones that sit in front of you. But most importantly, it means sacrificing your own goals for those of our country.
As you can see, a lot of us have a special veteran in our lives. I am fortunate to have two that helped mold me into the American that I am today. My paternal grandfather, Col. Arthur Witters served loyally in the Air Force for over three decades. He was a fighter pilot in WWII and even has a model plane made after his infamous Duck Butt (named affectionately for my Grandmother). He also advised U.S. presidents at the Pentagon, and was the man in charge when it came to building portions of the Air Force Academy. And this year at the ripe old age of 90 he published a book chronicling his years of service.
My grandpa McKnight, my maternal grandfather, served this country in the Philippines during WWII as a Navy lieutenant. He fought on the U.S. Key and even had a pet monkey! Growing up we loved to hear stories of his days at sea and the adventures of his mischievous pet. I have no doubt that he would have done anything for the men on his boat; it is just the kind of man he is.
My grandfathers shaped my perception of civic responsibility. If they could head into the face of war as a young 20 something year old, than what would I do to serve my country? Long before I knew that John F. Kennedy spoke the now famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” I knew this to be true because of my grandfathers’ direction. They taught me to say GO GATORS, to give back to others, and to proud and honored to be an American.
I hope that you enjoy your morning here at Gilchrist. We are so thankful to have you here and so appreciative that you stepped up when others sat down.
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