Veterans honored at Middle School celebration
On Veterans Day last Monday, students at W. F. George Middle School invited Veterans and First Responders to an annual lunch and celebration.
Middle School Principal Darla Biddy expressed the importance of this national holiday to her students. W. F. George has been hosting this luncheon for about 10 years, minus the two years from 2020 to 2022.
“We feel it is valuable for our students to show gratitude and learn to interact with our heroes,” explained Biddy. “We do see a little less understanding in each generation that comes up, so it is important that we keep these types of events in front of students to expose them and give them an experience to learn from. Our younger generations have lived very privileged lives, thanks in large part to the service and sacrifice of our veterans and those who have everything. We don’t want our students in Iowa Park to forget how blessed they are.”
Biddy said kitchen staff served over 75 guests a pre-Thanksgiving meal of turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, ambrosia salad, and pumpkin pie. There were over 250 middle school students and 30 staff members who ate Monday. More than 12 turkey roasts or 120 pounds of meat were prepared.
Guests were welcomed by the school’s choir made up of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Music performed included The Star-Spangled Banner, The Armed Forces Medley, (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines), and the finale, Stand by Me. A four-person Color guard was also present and artwork displayed was made by the 7th grade art class, including cards thanking veterans for their service.
Early on, eleven-year-old Bryson Beutel sat down to eat with his uncle and USMC veteran, Elliott Jones, of Iowa Park.
“He’s the only veteran in our family that’s still alive and the only one who lives in Texas,” laughed the middle school sixth grader.
Jones, 86, served as a corporal in the Marine Corps from 1958 to 1962. He worked as a mechanic at Headquarters USMC in Arlington, VA.
Howard Orama, retired MSGT, USAF, praised the military for the future it afforded him.
“The military did a lot for me,” said Orama, 69. “It took me out of the streets in New York City and gave me opportunity and I took advantage of it.”
Orama’s’ dedication to military service prompted his son, Joe, to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The younger Orama said his Air Force squadron was one of the first deployed for the 9/11 terrorist attack. Her served 15 years before he was medically retired in 2012 and is now an instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base.
Biddy concluded that the school has hosted as many as 135 guests in the past.
“It is always very insightful to talk to our veterans who have been in combat,” remarked Biddy. “They have a depth and graceful demeanor – an unspoken understanding among them. That is very humbling.”
A color guard performs on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2024, before Veterans Lunch at W. F. George Middle School.
Lisa Dell’Amore/Iowa Park Journal
