Ali Schulz
Editor-in-Chief
Webster held its annual Veterans’ Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 4. There was a ceremony in the morning to honor veterans, and in the afternoon veterans shared their stories in students’ history classes.
According to the U.S. department of federal affairs, Veterans’ Day is “a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Nearly all the veterans who attend the high school’s celebration had some sort of tie to Webster. While some were alumni, many had children or grandchildren who had gone to or currently attend Webster. The veterans traveled from across the St. Louis area and beyond to be recognized by Webster.
A lot of preparation went into the celebration. History teachers began planning the celebration a year in advance, and they discussed themes, dates and responsibilities. Then, they began recruiting veterans to come. This year, 48 veterans showed up to be recognized.
According to history teacher Michael Weber, “The day started with a special breakfast for the veterans, where they enjoyed coffee, egg casserole, and catching up with each other. After breakfast, all the first-hour Social Studies classes gathered in Roberts Gym for the assembly. The veterans were treated to performances by the orchestra and choir, a flag ceremony, and special readings and poems presented by students.”
Choir and orchestra both contributed to the ceremony this year, and “the day wouldn’t be complete without them,” Weber added.
After the ceremony, the veterans traveled to history classrooms to share their stories. The veterans served in everything from the Vietnam War to the Iraq War. They had a range of different jobs. While some handled controls and communications in government facilities, others participated in combat.
According to history teacher Alison Bryar, one of the most notable stories she heard was about a veteran who “was a helicopter pilot running evacuations from Saigon, Vietnam, the day the U.S. withdrew from Vietnam, effectively ending the Vietnam War. He was a crucial component of a historical event that we learn/teach about in history classes. It was incredible to hear that he was there on that day.”
On the importance of holding this celebration, Weber said “Veterans’ Day is important because it gives us a chance to pause and honor the men and women who have served in our military. It’s a way to show gratitude for their sacrifices and the role they’ve played in protecting our freedoms.”
“Beyond that, it’s an opportunity to learn from their stories, connect different generations, and remind ourselves of the values and responsibilities that come with being part of a community. It’s not just about looking back—it’s about carrying their lessons forward,” Weber said.
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Ali Schulz- Editor-in-ChiefThis will be Ali Schulz’s third year on ECHO Staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. She was opinion/news editor her first year on staff |
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