Members of the U.S. Army Band, members of the Greater Lawrence Tech School Board Thomas Hatem, Zoila Disla, Francisco Surillo, Principal Susan Zielinski, Command Sgt. Major Velez, Sgt. Ortiz of the Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, Director of Veterans Services Jaime Melendez (far right), and members of the U.S. Army Drill Team (front), after the Veterans Day ceremony held at Greater Lawrence Tech. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) Lawrence Fire Department and Andover Fire Department use ladder trucks to raise American Flag prior to Command Sgt. Major Velez’s arrival to Greater Lawrence Tech. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) 
Members of the U.S. Army Drill Team and U.S. Army Band, Swamp Romp, enjoy refreshments courtesy of Greater Lawrence Tech Culinary Arts students. (Photo courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) Members of the U.S. Army Band Swamp Romp gearing up to perform for Greater Lawrence Tech students during Veterans ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) 
Juniors stand for the National Anthem performed by the U.S. Army Band Swamp Romp. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) 
Command Sgt. Major Franklin Velez listening to GLTS students ask questions during the Veterans ceremony held on Friday, Nov. 4. (Photo courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) Members of the Lawrence and Andover Fire Department stand with Command Sgt. Major Velez ahead of Veterans ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech) From left, back row, Command Sgt. Major Velez, Director of Admissions & Counseling Brenda Richardson, Principal Susan Zielinski, Assistant principal of Humanities Jennifer DeStefano, Sgt. Ortiz of Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment. Front, members of the U.S. Drill Team. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Tech)
ANDOVER – Superintendent John Lavoie and Principal Susan Zielinski are pleased to share that Greater Lawrence Technical School hosted an event in observation of Veterans Day.
Greater Lawrence Tech hosted a veterans day event on Friday, Nov. 4 to honor and recognize Command Sgt. Major Franklin Velez and Sgt. Eduardo Ortiz of the Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment.
Command Sgt. Major Velez, a 1988 graduate of Greater Lawrence Tech, and members of the U.S. Army Band: Swamp Romp, U.S. Army Drill Team, and Sgt. Eduardo Ortiz of the Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, were greeted at GLTS by Andover and Lawrence Fire departments who raised an American flag using fire trucks.
Members of the U.S. Army Band, Drill Team, andSgt. Ortiz of Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, along with Command Sgt. Major Velez, took a tour of GLTS to see how it developed and changed over the years, and a reception with food and drinks prepared by students from GLTS culinary arts program, was held in the library.
Following the reception, a ceremony was held in the performing arts center, whereCommand Sgt. Major Velez,Sgt. Ortiz of the Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment spoke to junior’s about their experiences in the army and why they joined.
Members of the U.S. Army Band kicked off the ceremony by performing the National Anthem, and GLTS senior Xavier Tirado sang the Pledge of Allegiance. Students from Lawrence High School’s Jr. ROTC program presented flags, led by Lt. Colonel Stephen F. Howe, U.S. Army (Ret).
Opening statements were made by GLTS Principal Zielinski, and GLTS Math Instructor Jacob Elwell, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, commending the efforts of veterans everywhere and the sacrifices they make for our country.
After graduating GLTS in1988, Command Sgt. Major Velez went on to join the U.S. Military in 1990 as an Infantryman. The Lawrence native quickly excelled in his role holding over 13 positions during his career,eventually attaining one of the most senior ranks an enlisted soldier can earn.
Command Sgt. Major Velez talked to students and answered questions about his career, including what his favorite badge that he earned is. He went on to tell students about the time he got his Paratrooper wings, telling a light-hearted story about his first and second jump out of a plane.
During his first jump, he explained that he and his class weren’t nervous because they didn’t know what jumping out of a plane was like yet. It was only until their second time jumping that their nerves kicked in. However, Command Sgt. Major Velez stated that when he joined the army all he wanted to do was jump out of planes, and in doing so gaining his Paratrooper wings was his most memorable and special accomplishment.
Command Sgt. Major Velez earned merit awards and badges including, Legion of Merit (1OLC), Bronze Star with “V” device, Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (7 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (6OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), the Ranger Tab, Maser Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge second award, along with numerous others.
He was deployed and was a part of numerous missions including Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Currently he is the Senior Enlisted Advisor with the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. This role provides operational, ceremonial and musical support for local and worldwide public events, and national security and special events on behalf of the nation’s leadership.
Sgt. Ortiz of the Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment shared with students his own personal story about joining the Army after graduating high school in 2019. Sgt. Ortizgrew up in Mexico and moved to the US when he was 17.
When he arrived in the U.S., he did not speak English, but want to join the Army. After he graduated high school, he went to a recruiting office and signed-up. During this time, Sgt. Ortizused social media in an effort to learn more about the Army and teach himself basic parts of the English language. After joining the Army, he shipped off to basic training where he learned how to speak English. Sgt. Ortizlater joined the U.S. Army Color Guard and has presented flag all over the country, even at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, where he says he felt the most pride in his country.
The ceremony continued with members of the U.S. Army Drill team putting on a performance for students, and the U.S. Army Band performing a musical number.
Members of the Greater Lawrence Technical School District Committee were in attendance including Zoila Disla representing Lawrence, and Thomas Hatem and Francisco Surillo representing Methuen.
Command Sgt. Major Velez commended teachers and staff for their hard work and dedication in setting students up for success.
“We are honored that Command Sgt. Major Velez and his soldiers came to Greater Lawrence to speak with our students ahead of Veterans Day,” said Principal Zielinski. “We would like to thank those who serve for their dedication and commitment to our country. I am very happy students got the chance to speak with Command Sgt. Major Velezand learn more in depth about the army.”
“I would like to thank Command Sgt. Major Velez as well as members of the U.S. Army Band, U.S. Army Drill team and Sgt. Ortiz for taking the time to come to our school district,” said Superintendent Lavoie. “We are honored to be a part of this ceremony. Students were able to gain a new understanding about what it means to be in the service and were shown another path that they are able to pursue once they graduate.”
Greater Lawrence Tech would like to commend all Veterans for their service and sacrifice ahead of Veterans Day.
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