Gallery • 8 Photos

Matt Mailloux

Mr. Umstead leads the Concert Band at the assembly.

With Veteran’s Day rapidly approaching, students and staff at Hollis Brookline worked to ensure that the veterans in the community were properly honored for their years of service to our country. The Homefront Club, advised by Mr. Duval and Mrs. Coughlin, organized a variety of activities to give thanks to the veterans for their service and protection. The club made a large yellow ribbon poster and students and faculty members were given the opportunity to sign it to show their gratitude. This poster was hung in the gym during the Veteran’s Day assembly for all of the veterans to see. A second project the Homefront Club took on was to make stars of appreciation. Students filled out yellow stars during lunches, and on each star the name of a veteran was written down to show appreciation for his or her service to our country. Duval said, “We are working to say thank you to our nation’s active and retired military veterans.”

On Thursday, November 7, a handful of veterans from the Hollis Brookline community joined students and staff at an assembly dedicated to the veterans’ service. The men and women featured–including veteran staff members Dave Umstead, Julie Sullivan, and Rich Winslow–have served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force. The school community gave all a warm welcome throughout the ceremony, and respect was at an all-time high. Attendees were touched by the emotional speeches given during the assembly, including a moving reminiscence delivered by school board member Tom Solon, and many speakers received standing ovations.

To continue with the Veteran’s Day spirit, people are able to attend local parades this Monday (there is one in downtown Nashua, starting at 11:11am),  or write letters to veterans in the community. All of the strength and dedication veterans have given to us and our country through their service has not gone unnoticed.