Middle and high school students remember the sacrifice of our veterans
Middle and high school students honored those who have served the United States during the Veterans Day Assembly. Guest speaker Bobby Fulton ‘10 spoke on the importance of service.
Senior Alexander Glover opened the assembly with the Pledge of Allegiance and recitation of Psalm 24, and the band performed the “Armed Forces on Parade.”
The high school chorus led the “National Anthem,” and the middle and high school chorus sang “I Dream a World” by Andre Thomas.
Franklin Pridgen, social sciences teacher, introduced Fulton. While at Wesleyan, Fulton was team captain of the varsity football and lacrosse team, was a member of Student Government, and participated in mission trips to El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. Fulton attended Hampden-Sydney College and joined the army in 2014. He spent most of his time in the 75th Ranger regiment, the U.S. Army’s premier light infantry unit and special operations force within the United States Army Special Operations Command.
“I know Bobby as a team-first leader among his peers and a man of exceptional character and great courage,” stated Pridgen.
Fulton spoke on the topic of service. He was asked to answer the question, “What does service mean to you?”
Fulton described finding old notes from a military leadership class while preparing for the Veterans Day Assembly. The list titled “Tips for All Americans” included the following:
- Show your patriotism; fly your flag.
- Earn and spend.
- Vote.
- Pay taxes.
- Know history.
- Donate time and money.
- Help someone in need.
- Be a role model.
“While these tips are great, it is not the answer to the question that I want to express today,” reflected Fulton. “This is only a portion of what service really is.”
Fulton went on to explain that service is selflessness. Service can mean holding the door, following through on a promise, training hard for your sport, or having integrity.
“You do what is expected of yourself and more. You look after others and put their own welfare above yours. Service is all about being the best you 110% of the time,” he explained.
He encouraged students to remember that service is an everyday thing. To close, he implored them to ask themselves, “What can I do today and every day to be my best self?”
“The concept of service correlates perfectly with Wesleyan’s JOY motto,” said Ted Russell, social sciences department chair and social sciences teacher, who organized the assembly.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Veterans Day Assembly and to those who made the event possible. We are grateful for the many men and women who have served our country.
