Veterans Day is fast approaching on Saturday, Nov. 11, allowing us a three-day weekend to commemorate the heroes of our country.
This day is granted to us to celebrate the brave soldiers who fought for our country. Whether alive or deceased, we give our thanks to their hard work to allow us the freedom we live with today.
There are many veterans in our community who have sacrificed a part of their lives to serve our country. There have even been a couple of teachers who have served significant time in our United States Military.
Mrs. Whiteside, one of our beloved school counselors, served in the United States Army and Reserve for eight years. She joined the Army because both she loves her country and also to help her financially through college.
She joined the Army through the Montgomery GI Bill which provides up to 36 months of benefits for eligible service members.
Mrs. Whiteside shares, “on Veterans Day I find events that are going on around Orange County and often visit memorials to commemorate.”
Another faculty member who has served in the United States Army is Mr. Butler, an English teacher here on campus.
He was on active duty in the Army from 1986 to 1990 and served in the reserve from 1990 to 1992. Mr. Butler also joined the army to help pay for college and was supported through the GI Bill.
On Veterans Day Mr. Butler is going to take his wife to the Denny’s in Dana Point for his free breakfast. He usually dines with two other veterans and their wives to celebrate the holiday.
Mr. Butler states, “It’s one thing to serve your country, not a lot of people do it anymore. Always appreciate the veterans, I spent four years in the army and it benefited me.”
One of our own seniors here at Aliso Niguel plans on attending the United States Naval Academy. Kurtis Pikula (12) is a very dedicated applicant who has a great academic record and has been playing water polo for four years and swimming for three.
Kurtis plans to graduate from the Naval Academy after four years and then serve as a Naval Aviation Pilot. He feels a strong patriotism for our country and wants to show his respect by serving time in our military.
Kurtis says, “A lot of my family members were and are in the military so it means a lot to me and we should respect all of our veterans.”
Kurtis is motivated to join the Naval Academy to serve and protect our home country just like his family members. He plans to celebrate Veterans Day with his father who is currently serving in the United States Military.
Veterans Day is a very important day for these three and many more as we look back and give our thanks to all of the current and past soldiers for their bravery.
