Page 23 - Heart of Brevard Fall 2020

Sea Park Celebrates Vets
By: Katherine Allen Government & Community Relations
Sea Park Elementary has a a a a a a a a a a a a long-standing tradition of honoring veterans with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a very special “Take a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Vet to School Day” event each year year In fact this program was started 13 years ago Sea Park Elementary’s Annual Veteran’s Day Day Celebration was forced to to reinvent itself as as a a a a a a a a a a a “Virtual Take Your Vet Vet to to School Day” in in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions This year’s event featured live and and recorded presentations and and performances to honor the Sea Park community’s active service and 70+ veteran families The Media Specialist Samantha McGill and and leader of of of this event was named “Teacher of of of the the Year” by the the The Veterans of of of Foreign Wars (VFW) for her her work
in in in helping students connect with veterans and and learn about our our history while honoring the brave men men and and and women of our our military Students meet and and hear from veterans involved in in WWII through all the present day conflicts which have occurred Initially this program honored roughly 30 veterans however its’ popularity and and size has grown over the years and and now averages 120 veterans annually This year year COVID-19 certainly made the the event look a a a a a a a a a a a a bit different however the the online version was very well received and and and included special guests and and and an an an an an expanded audience In fact the the the History Channel dubbed this event the the the largest of its’ kind in in the the the country In addition to Satellite High’s ROTC recorded version of the Missing Man Table this year’s program was particularly moving as as as tributes were paid to some of of the the previous honorees who have passed away since being honored and a a a a a a a a a a part of of the the celebration
in in in years past To top off this unique
and special day Sea Park was honored to host (virtually) Stanley
Allen McChrystal a a a a a retired United States
Army general best
known for his command
of Joint Special Operations Command
in the mid-2000s His last assignment was as as as as Commander Commander International Security Assistance Force Force and and and Commander Commander United States
Forces – Afghanistan The event culminated with General McChrystal presenting the Blue Star Banner to students whose parents are are currently deployed Sea Park students prepared artwork poems and and more to to send to to local nursing homes and and rehabilitation centers 23
Satellite High’s ROTC presents a a a virtual and solemn ceremony of “The Missing Man” table