Dear Editor,

On Veterans Day I had the opportunity to attend the program held at Wawasee High School, the program was for all students and staff as well as for community members to honor our veterans.

I sat intently listening to the program and I must say I was very impressed with the speakers; each of them had a heartfelt story to tell. Kaylee Wallace challenged everyone to take the day seriously and to thank the veterans; Pat Park shared what it was like to spend 25 years in the Navy and Alex Fiscus had the courage to stand before a packed gym and share the story of losing her dad in the war.

As impressed as I was with the speakers I was even more impressed with the student body.

During this program I took the opportunity to regularly scan the audience, the students sat quietly listening to the speakers and it became obvious quickly that these fine students were not there to “have a few minutes out of class” but were there because this day and the stories shared meant something to them.

I have been to numerous convocations and each one you notice some student’s texting, checking Facebook or visiting with the person next to them instead of paying attention, but this Veterans Day that was not the case. I am not sure words can express how proud I was of the students at Wawasee High School at that very moment and how their behavior makes me proud to be a part of the Warrior family.

My only regret is that there were not many more Veterans there to see this ultimate form of respect. Kudos goes out to all who planned this event and to all the students who made it special.

Tony Ciriello, Chief of Police
Syracuse Police Department