Schools' ceremonies touch veterans' hearts

Geneva Middle Schools South and North again offered a Veterans Day ceremony with much reverence, pomp and heartfelt expressions of thanks for the military service of veterans.

And as usual, it thrilled the veterans, many of whom were students' fathers, mothers, grandfathers and neighbors.

It was one of many salutes to veterans that took place in schools throughout the Tri-Cities, including Batavia's Rotolo Middle School.

“I was absolutely blown away by what you have done for us today,” said Doug Faulls, a 23-year Navy man, after the ceremony. He was one of about 10 veterans who took part after the rite at South in a Q&A session with students. He was brought to the event by a student who was a former neighbor.

Veterans told the students about what branch of the military they served, when and where. They served in peacetime and in war, from World War II Navy veteran Fred Missele to Marine Lt. Col. Kyle Moore, who was on active duty from 1995 to 2007, including two tours in Iraq. He is a reservist.

Moore, Missele and others expressed how grateful they were to get letters from home, such as those sent by schoolchildren, during their time in service.

“There was a long time I never got any mail because they (my family) didn't know where I was,” Missele said.

“All the letters we would get back then, we would read them every day,” said Jimmy Wood, an Air Force pilot who served in the Gulf War.

Students asked about the food, the quarters, the training, friendships and pranks. “They say the best food is on Navy submarines,” Moore said, and Faulls chimed in “It's true, it's true.” But Faulls pointed out that people serving on Navy ships and submarines have to get used to living in little space, including sharing a bunk in a rotation. “It's the closest I came to having claustrophobia,” he said of sleeping with only a few inches of space over his face.

Several of the veterans admitted they had enlisted after obtaining not-so-great grades their first year of college, back when the country had a draft. They figured it was better to make a choice about what branch of service, then to rely on Uncle Sam's choosing.

“I was very proud the day I was assigned (to fly) C-130s,” said Wood, who was in from 1989-1998, noting the turboprop planes were nicknamed “The Four Fans of Freedom.” “The Army basically built our airplane around a tank,” he said, describing how he would drop weapons such as howitzers, landing on dirt fields, and delivering humanitarian aid.

At the earlier ceremony, students played patriotic music, described the duties of each of the five branches, handed out “thank you” certificates to veterans and made speeches.

“You are and always will be our country's heroes. Whether it be because you volunteered or were drafted, whether you were in combat or stood ready (stateside), you served with honor, bravery and dignity,” student Grace Keegan said.