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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Thompson High School students and faculty gathered together on Thursday, Nov. 7 for a special ceremony to honor veterans and recognize their sacrifices ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

“This is a proud event for Thompson High School because it is a very special event honoring very special people,” said Dr. Wesley Hester, THS principal and Alabaster City Schools assistant superintendent. “And I want to start by saying a warm welcome to our veterans and their families… we want to thank all of you for your service, for your sacrifice, for your commitment to our country, to our nation, to our freedom and all the things that are a part of the United States of America.”

During the ceremony, Hester asked those in attendance to center their thoughts on those who have served the nation.

“As we are going through the program, think about those that are here with us today on the floor,” Hester said. “Think about your family members that you know that serve or have served and have committed and sacrificed in many different ways for your opportunities that you have because this is a learning experience for all of us and one that we can all appreciate and value very much.”

After Hester’s opening remarks, those in attendance were led in prayer by Matteo Lozito, followed by a performance of the national anthem by the Thompson High School Harmonettes and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chief Master Sgt. Keith Long of the U.S. Air Force addressed the crowd and highlighted the importance of what veterans have accomplished and underscored the value of their jobs.

“I’ve heard people say that they (veterans) don’t want to be celebrated—they did nothing extraordinary, that we were just doing our jobs—and that is not the case,” Long said. “I would like to submit to you that our job was not and is not ordinary. It’s extraordinary (and) filled with danger, sacrifices, time away from home, time away from family friends and events.”

Long also took time to recognize the family members of veterans who also sacrificed time away from their loved ones in service of the country.

“While our veterans have made many sacrifices to protect us and our nation, we also need to remember that right beside our veterans are their family members who share in making those sacrifices and sometimes even more so,” Long said.

Long reflected on the nation’s history during his address and pointed toward the early efforts of veterans at the country’s start and the efforts of veterans onward.

“It is the blood, sweat and tears of our military members that keeps our nation free,” Long said. “It is through their sacrifices that all citizens are able to enjoy your freedoms bestowed on us by our creator and proudly affirmed in our Declaration of Independence and codified in our Constitution. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to all of these brave men and women and so many more.”

During the Veterans Day program, Cadet Noah Mize with THS’ JROTC unit spoke to those in attendance and challenged them with the question, “What does Veterans Day mean to you?”

“Veterans Day is a chance to show our nation’s greatest heroes just what they mean to all of us,” Mize said. “It is a time to stop and reflect on all the sacrifices each of them have made.”

Mize shared that he found an important part of the holiday to be the various stories that each veteran carries with them. He told the story of his great uncle, Staff Sgt. Kent West, who went missing in action during a flight in World War II.

“Each veteran has a story,” Mize said. “Some are shared and some are not. Some had similar experiences and others did not. But no matter the story, there’s one key takeaway from them all. They are our nation’s greatest heroes.”