November 11^th 2013 marked the 60^th anniversary of Veteran’s Day becoming a National holiday. On November 8^th, Coal Mountain Elementary School celebrated with the help of select students in the NFHS band, and the MCJROTC Color Guard. The ceremony started with the presentation of the colors by the Color Guard, quickly followed by the band’s performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. Afterwards, Commander Marian Ogden, a staff member at Coal Mountain, read the 2013 Veteran’s Day Presidential Address. Commander Greg Stubbs gave a short speech about his time in the Navy and gave the students a small assignment to take home with them. He told them to go home and ask their parents about who in their family was a member of the military, and with that information in hand, the students were told to call those who served or are serving, and to thank them for all they have given.

The end of the assembly was a time to remember those who had been lost as well as the men and women who had joined the students in the gymnasium. Among the honored was Gunny Snook, one of the two teachers in charge of the MCJROTC, Greg Stubbs, and Marian Ogden. The band gave a performance of the Armed Forces Medley, before the young students were led out of the gym and back to their classes.

Veterans Day is a time to remember and a time to celebrate. It is important that younger generations are educated about what their elders have done and what they can do as well. Coal Mountain has put on this assembly at least twice in the last two years, and as it continues, so do the stories of Commander Stubbs, Commander Ogden, and many other veterans within the community.