LYNN — Lynn English High School students gathered at the school gym on Thursday to honor those who have served the country.
The Veterans Day assembly included performances from the school band and choir, as well as demonstrations from English’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
State Representative and English alumnus Dan Cahill spoke during the event and expressed his gratitude for the city’s deep connection with the military.
“This is a time of great reflection upon those who have served our country admirably, both foreign and domestic, currently serving, and those who have served in the past. Lynn English has a very proud history of veterans and heroes. We’re all very proud of everything they have done,” Cahill said.
Deputy Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services Andrea Gayle Bennett urged students to thank veterans for their contributions to the country and to support military families in the community.
“Millions of men and women have served in the military since the founding of our country, all of them with different reasons. They have different jobs, served in different places across the world, some of them went to war, many were injured, and were otherwise changed in the service,” Gayle-Bennett said.
Gayle-Bennett added, “Whatever their story is, they took a great risk and protected our country and our freedom. That’s why we’re celebrating today, to recognize and honor their courage and sacrifices. Every act of service, big or small, honors the generations who served before you and strengthens the community you’re a part of today.”
Mayor Jared Nicholson reminded students why we celebrate Veterans Day in The United States.
“In a democracy, one of the founding characteristics is that people get to decide their own future, what happens in this country. And nothing is more important than decisions about war or peace. Those decisions are debated as they should be in a democracy,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson added, “Veterans Day reminds us that we can put aside those debates about war and peace and the decisions our country makes as a group, to thank the individuals no matter what for stepping up to serve those ideas of freedom and democracy.”
Lynn Public Schools Superintendent Molly Cohen echoed this by emphasizing the major role that veterans have with ensuring free speech in our country.
“Honoring the veterans is one of the most important things we do as a school, district, and community. Because of their community, we have our privileges,” Cohen said.
