Via receives warm welcome at Whitesburg

By U.S. ArmyNovember 7, 2014

Via
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Whitesburg Elementary/Middle School hosted Gen. Dennis L. Via, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command as their keynote speaker for a Veterans Day program here, Nov. 6.

Students filled the front lawn with signs and streamers,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Via at Whitesburg 2
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Whitesburg Elementary/Middle School hosted Gen. Dennis L. Via, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command as their keynote speaker for a Veterans Day program here, Nov. 6. Students filled the front lawn with signs and streamers, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Via with Grissom JROTC
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Whitesburg Elementary/Middle School hosted Gen. Dennis L. Via, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command as their keynote speaker for a Veterans Day program here, Nov. 6. Students filled the front lawn with signs and streamers, chanting "U.S.A." to... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Whitesburg Elementary/Middle School hosted Gen. Dennis L. Via, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command as their keynote speaker for a Veterans Day program here, Nov. 6.

Students filled the front lawn with signs and streamers, chanting "U.S.A." t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
VIEW ORIGINAL

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Whitesburg Elementary/Middle School hosted Gen. Dennis L. Via, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command as their keynote speaker for a Veterans Day program here, Nov. 6.

Students filled the front lawn with signs and streamers, chanting "U.S.A." to welcome Via to the school. The Grissom High School JROTC cadets presented the colors, Whitesburg's Advanced Band played a veterans salute, students shared speeches of patriotism and loyalty, and more than 200 students filled the school's gymnasium wearing red, white and blue to honor Veterans Day.

"I've visited many places around the United States to include overseas and I've never ever received a reception like that," Via said. "I also want to commend you. I've visited a lot of schools. In fact I'll visit five schools next week in my hometown and I know how special a school is when I arrive.

When I walk through and see how the students carry themselves; how they introduce themselves and the pride that have in their school. It tells me this is a very, very special school."

Via began his message thanking the teachers and stressing the important roles they play in the lives of every student.

"Teachers have an incredibly difficult job and an incredible important job and they hold a special place in my heart," he said. "It was my high school masonry teacher that encouraged me to set aside my plans to become a brick layer and to go college."

At the time this was a path that he had never considered possible but at his teachers urging and guidance, Via applied for and was accepted at Virginia State University, where he joined ROTC and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for 34 years and counting.

"As I look out on this assembly of students I know, more than most, that their future is literally in your hands, he said. "And from what I've heard about this very special school our communities trust has been well placed."

General Via then spoke to the students about the importance of Veterans Day.

"We celebrate Veterans Day not out of obligation to a date on a calendar but out of love and out of respect to these men and women," Via said referencing the men and women who once did or are currently serving the country.

He also left the students with three tips on how to honor veterans. The first tip was to thank a veteran for their service to the nation.

"Trust me, that simple gesture will mean more than you'll ever know," Via said.

Second, he asked students to visit the local memorials.

"They [the memorials] are not intended to glorify war, but to ensure we remember the sacrifices of the men and women who have offered and given their life to ensure our freedom," Via said.

And lastly, he asked the students to always respect the flag of the United States of America.

"There is nothing that brings more warmth to a veteran's heart than to see our flag treated with honor," Via said.

Via asked the students to remember these customs and traditions and to pass them on to others.

With that he left the students with one more heart-felt thank you, "I sincerely appreciate all that you've done to mark Veterans Day with pride and honor. On behalf of all those who serve and who have served, I thank you."