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Hawthorn Middle School South students honor veterans

Close to 60 veterans and their families were greeted and served breakfast by Vernon Hills' Hawthorn Middle School South students during the annual Breakfast of Appreciation.

Students thanked the local heroes for their dedication to their nation. They also met with them to learn more about their lives as soldiers.

One such legend who attended the Veterans Day event was Harry Swanson, who turns 89 in December. He joined the army at age 18, shortly after graduating from Libertyville High School. Swanson attended the Hawthorn school district when it was a two-room school district. There were six students in Swanson's eighth-grade promotion class.

He and his family lived along Route 45, near the Vernon Hills Train Station. When he married, he purchased 1.5 acres of his family's property and raised his four children there, all of whom went through the Hawthorn schools. His daughter's grandson also attended the Hawthorn schools.

"I enjoy attending these events because I get to visit with good friends. We meet and have a great time together," Swanson said.

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Hawthorn Middle School South seventh-grader Dani Dechter serves veterans coffee. Courtesy of Hawthorn School District 73
Eighth-grader Lexi Rootberg serves a veteran. Almost 60 veterans and their families were served at Hawthorn Middle School South's Veterans Day breakfast. Courtesy of Hawthorn School District 73
Eighth-grader Urvi Dubey greets a veteran. Courtesy of Hawthorn School District 73
Former Hawthorn student and army veteran Harry Swanson attended the recent veterans breakfast. Courtesy of Hawthorn School District 73
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