School’s show of gratitude for veterans

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

There are all sorts of reasons to hold an assembly at school.

On Tuesday morning, it was to express gratitude.

Students at Waubonsie Valley High School started the day by gathering in the gymnasium to pay tribute to military veterans and acknowledge how their sacrifices have made life better for all Americans.

Special guests included Allen Lynch and Harold Fritz, both recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government. The event’s keynote speaker was U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John C. Hanley.

Also in attendance were Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and invited military veterans and current members of the armed forces.

The event, led by Associate Principal Rudy Keller, included performances by the WVHS Wind Ensemble and the WVHS Varsity Singers.

Lynch, a U.S. Army sergeant, received a citation for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While serving as a radio telephone operator in Vietnam, his unit became heavily engaged with the enemy. Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit’s successful actions. Among his heroic deeds, he administered aid to wounded comrades and carried them to safety while under heavy enemy fire.

More than 40 years later, he stood before the respectful high school students and noted the holidays that recognize “those who keep us free.” Veterans Day, Lynch pointed out, is a good time to show gratitude.

“This is a time we can honor those men and women who served our country that are right here with us today and you can go up and say ‘thank you for my freedom,’” he said. “That’s the importance of this day. Have you ever thought about the price of your freedom? We live in this country where you can be anything you want to be if you are willing to work hard enough for it. You can achieve great things no matter your race, no matter your religion, no matter where you come from. And the only reason that can happen is because the men and women who have served our nation, and are serving our nation, they’re the ones that keep us free.”

Fritz, a U.S. Army captain, distinguished himself as a platoon leader in Vietnam. He was leading his seven-vehicle armored column along a highway to meet and escort a truck convoy when it came under intense crossfire. Seriously wounded, he stood on top of his burning vehicle and directed the positions of his remaining vehicles and men. After routing the attackers, a second enemy force threatened to overwhelm them. Armed with only a pistol and bayonet, Fritz led a small group of men in a fierce charge inflicting heavy casualties.

Fritz paid tribute to those serving in the military.

“Our veterans are a very important part of the foundation of America,” he said. “Without them we wouldn’t be able to assemble, we wouldn’t be able to dress as we do, we wouldn’t be able to travel as we do, when we do. ... All these precious freedoms are paid for by the blood and the valor of men and women in the armed forces.”

Hanley, who is the commander, 3rd Battle Command Training Brigade, 75th Battle Command Training Division at Fort Sheridan, has made a career of the military.

His service in the regular Army included Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After completing active duty, he entered the Army Reserve. His many honors include the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

Hanley said he was inspired to join the military by his grandfather and father who served.

“The one word before my father died, he said ‘you do this not for yourself, but you do this for others,’” Hanley said. “That really hit home for me.”

Hanley asked that Americans continue to support their servicemen and women.

“If we don’t do what we do, we won’t have the freedom to do what we want to do in the future,” he said.

Many students were moved by the speakers. Alexis Kelley, 16, of Aurora comes from a military family.

“It meant a lot to me because my dad is also in the military, and my uncle and my aunt and my step-grandfather and my other grandfather were also in the military ... and my mom, too,” she said.

Shannon Wright, 15, of Aurora said the presentations made him proud to be an American.

“It gives you a warm feeling inside to be grateful to live in a great place like America,” he said. “We’re very lucky.”

Ivan Infante, 15, of Aurora also expressed his gratitude.

“Not many countries have this opportunity to be free,” said Infante, who hopes to enlist in the Marines someday. “That there are people out there fighting for us is pretty great.”

Alonso Corona, 15, of Aurora agreed.

“It’s an honor being in this country knowing that all these people are helping us out and giving us our freedom,” he said.