Revere celebrates veterans with extensive program

by Laura Bednar

Revere High School welcomed all veterans through its doors for breakfast, a singing performance by first-grade students and a presentation by former Air Force Col. James McClellan.

Members of the high school student council served breakfast to veterans from all branches of the service. The vets were treated to a performance by first-graders from Richfield Elementary, who sang songs of gratitude and recited poems recognizing the bravery and strength of those who served.

First-graders handed out bags of homemade trail mix to the veterans, with each ingredient representing a characteristic of those who serve, such as Lucky Charms cereal, indicating the nation’s good fortune to have people willing to serve.

The vets paraded into the gymnasium, where they were met with applause from students. The Richfield Police and Fire Color Guard presented the colors, and the high school choir sang The Star Spangled Banner.

Principal Doug Faris spoke of his father, who was drafted during the Vietnam War. At his father’s funeral eight years ago, Faris said the impact of veterans folding the flag at the casket and giving it to his mother remains with him every day.

The high school orchestra played America the Beautiful before three students in the Revere Players theater group spoke about remembering prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Guest speaker was Bath resident Col. James McClellan, who entered the Air Force in 1989 after graduating from Bowling Green State University. McClellan worked in a variety of Air Force and Department of Defense Combatant Commands at the tactical, operational and strategic levels. His commands included Air Mobility Command, United States Air Force Europe; Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces; Special Operations Command; and the Defense Logistics Agency.

He was deployed to Iraq and locations in Africa, Asia, United Kingdom, Europe, South Korea and the state of Qatar.

He noted that history books may show acts of heroism in conflict, but “most acts live in veterans’ minds” and later become stories that remind us of our values.

McClellan told a story from his time as a commander in Baghdad in 2005. His mission was to train U.S. personnel how to run a military base, but the base in question was under construction in a combat zone, and there were no vehicles or equipment to build the base.

To get equipment, McClellan and his team had to travel in a convoy along a dangerous stretch of road with several overpasses. He needed someone to plan the mission and one sergeant said, “Boss, I’ve got this one,” and proceeded to do the planning and drive a tractor-trailer to the base.

There was a moment when enemy fire was detected, but the convoy returned to the base safely. McClellan said the story demonstrates courage, sacrifice and gratitude.

“Courage is about moral strength as well as physical strength,” he said. “Being bold can be an everyday occurrence.” He gave the example of a student answering a difficult question in class or stepping up to a challenge.

McClellan said a sacrifice is an act of love for country, family or a team, and small sacrifices can lead to a bigger reward in the future. He added that people can practice gratitude by “living in a way that honors veterans.” “Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and live with integrity,” he said.