The soldiers participated in the school's ceremony with more than 900 students and s... VIEW ORIGINAL
Th... VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve soldiers, from the 85th Support Command, presented the Colors o... VIEW ORIGINAL
Arlington Heights, Ill. -- Veterans Day is a day to give recognition to those who have served and those who continue to wear the uniform; but it is also an opportunity for service-members to share with their communities of what it means to be a veteran.
Tuesday, November 11, Army Reserve soldiers from the 85th Support Command's color guard team got out early into their local communities, and did just that.
Their first engagement was at New Trier High School, in Northfield, Illinois, to participate in a flag raising ceremony at the school's Veterans Day commemoration there with more than 900 students and faculty in attendance.
"We love going out and being in the community, especially on Veterans Day," said Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class William Keys, 85th Support Command color guard non-commissioned officer-in-charge. "A lot of kids don't understand what it means to be a veteran, so we like to go out and talk to them. We want to spread the word of what it means to be a veteran."
Keys, initiated the day with Staff Sgt. Angelica Reese, 85th Support Command, and arrived to New Trier as the school's 900-plus students began also arriving for the morning ceremony. Keys and Reese raised an American flag up the school's flagpole during the playing of taps by Drew Morhun, 9th grade student there and bugler.
Following the ceremony, Keys and Reese met many students, there, that shared an overwhelming thanks and appreciation for their service to the nation.
Keys additionally traveled to the Allstate home office in Northbrook, Illinois, with Staff Sgt. Jesus Nunez, 85th Support Command, for a Veterans Day ceremony there hosted by the Allstate Veterans Engagement Team & Supporters (AVETS) veterans group.
The ceremony, there, recognized veterans from the insurance group and remarks were given by their keynote speaker, Congressman Brad Schneider, 10th district representative there. In Schneider's remarks, he called out to the American public and elected officials to uphold commitments to veterans.
"We must dedicate ourselves to upholding the commitments that we make to our veterans, and honor their distinguished and dignified service to our country," said Schneider. "We must provide all veterans with the care and benefits they rightly earned. And we must ensure all veterans, and their families, enjoy the promise and opportunity that their commended sacrifice secured for us. We must do this.."
The ceremony concluded with an award recognition to veterans and then the
playing of taps by Marcy Night.
Veterans Service Organizations: Quilts of Valor and Pits for Patriots were also in attendance sharing their opportunities for veterans.
Janet Meyer, and Sue Bruss, Quilts of Honor, presented several handmade quilts to veterans, receiving a hug in exchange.
The day's events culminated at the United Center, located in downtown Chicago, for the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Veterans Day game there. Nunez, with Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Glenn, Sgt. Jose Uriostegui, and Sgt. Angel Olivo, Army Reserve soldiers from the 85th Support Command, presented the Colors, on the ice, while Jim Cornelison, Chicago Blackhawks
singer, sang the National Anthem; simultaneously, 23 service-members from each branch of service unfurled an American flag, spotlighted across the ice, in front of 21, 345 roaring spectators.
"I felt so honored and privileged to support the army, my unit, and veterans," said Glenn.
During an intermission, U.S. Navy Chief Andre Patrick, and U.S. Army Reserve Specialist Coraima Rosario-Pinto were selected to attempt a puck shot on the ice.
Patrick, 25-year navy veteran, stepped out onto the ice and scored a goal.
"It's an awesome feeling," said Patrick. "It's my first time ever seeing a hockey game, and then (receiving) a chance to get out on the ice and making one puck."
Pinto didn't score a goal but found the experience memorable.
"It was amazing," said Pinto. "Not everyone can say that they were out on the ice and get to shoot a puck. I didn't (score), but the experience was worth the while. It was a real big honor."
Social Sharing