MARLBOROUGH – Superintendent Ernest F. Houle is pleased to share that Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School honored the significant contributions of veterans and active-duty military during ceremonies on Nov. 10.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. (ret.) Travis Bowser, Senior Marine Instructor with the school’s Junior ROTC program, reflected on the freedoms that military members have secured for all Americans.
“Veterans have ensured your right to travel freely all around this great country and around the world, to do things like having access to the internet, the ability to go to the movies, play sports, attend sporting events, go to a concert or just hang out with your friends,” Maj. Bowser said. “We must remember that Veterans Day is not just an extra day off from school or work; it’s a day to appreciate the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our great country.”
Student speaker Eric Edwards, Vice President of Assabet’s National Honor Society Chapter, shared thoughts about what makes a great leader. He said both of his grandfathers were veterans, one of whom he never met, the other he was not able to say goodbye to.
“I don’t have that person in my life to thank any more, which makes Veterans Day bittersweet for me. I’d like to thank all of the veterans here, all of the veterans that will be in my life, whether that’s tomorrow, or decades from now. You do what I consider to be impossible. Your sacrifices let me live peacefully. Let us live peacefully. And I never want to give up that chance to thank you ever again,” he said.
Members of the School Band and cadets from the Junior ROTC program performed during the ceremonies.
“By example our veterans and active-duty military remind us about sacrifice and the greater good, every day, and push us to be the best people we can be,” Superintendent Houle said. “Thank you to the organizers and all who took part in this great event.”