Members of the Whitefield community celebrated the men and women who have served our country at the annual Veterans Day Chapel. Held in the Athletic Center, the chapel was attended by the entire student body, administrators, faculty, staff as well as veterans from the surrounding community. Students also invited relatives of students who have served in the military.
A veteran’s wall stood at the back of the gym listing each veteran’s branch, rank, and years of service.
Whitefield’s Boy Scout Troop 554 began the service with the Presentation of Colors followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag. The Upper School band and a combined Whitefield choir provided patriotic music throughout the service and the entire audience joined together to sing, “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”
Chris LeCraw, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Air Force, addressed the audience and
shared his family’s legacy in the military, his own experience as a pilot, and the mixture of pride and concern when two of his sons decided to join the military. LeCraw’s three sons Chris, Matt, and Jimmy, all graduated from Whitefield.
Andrea Blackwood Upper School English teacher, shared about the history of Veteran’s Day. Upper School Student Body President Everett Pollard read an excerpt from the President’s Proclamation honoring veterans and Middle School Student Body President Jared Jones read the passage, “Today We Celebrate.”
Christian Cuthbert, Whitefield teacher and Chaplain in the United States Army Reserve also addressed the audience, speaking about the unseen sacrifices made daily by men and women in service to our country.
“....they spend time away from their homes and their loved ones; some give the ultimate sacrifice of their lives,” said Cuthbert.
Following the Chapel, veterans and their family members enjoyed a reception in their honor in the Barnett Gathering Room.