Lake Forest Country Day School Honored Local Veterans at Annual Assembly

Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS) students honored local veterans for their services at the School’s annual Veterans Day Assembly last Wednesday, November 5. Lower and Upper School students expressed gratitude and appreciation to the veterans through music performances and spoken words of thanks.

The Lake Forest American Legion Post 264 Color Guard and a group of LFCDS Cub Scouts started the ceremony with a presentation of the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Sixth-grade students Cameron Wacker and Brooks Osborne explained the significance behind Taps and then promptly joined their peers Lilli Carrasco, Katie Schilling, and Will Collins in performing this solemn and important song for the audience.

Head of School Bob Whelan welcomed all of the attendees and spoke about the importance of thanking those who have fought for freedom and the opportunities that they have created for others through their sacrifice. Standing before an assembly of LFCDS students, parents, teachers, staff, guests, and veterans, Mr. Whelan reflected on the “attitude of gratitude” that he believes so strongly represents the LFCDS community.

Tom Marks, Commander of the Lake Forest American Legion Post 264, read the Roll Call of the veterans present. The veterans in attendance were: Basil Borders (Army), Tom Boyden (Navy), Jeff Brincat (Marines), John Brincat (Marines), Bob Bruce (Air Force), William Bulis (Navy), Alan Champ (Army), David Cimarrusti (Naval Air), Clark Gilman (Army), Stan Cope (Navy), Larry Crone (Air Force), Judith Doran (Air Force), Suzanne Fox (Navy), Marlon Fox (Navy), Tom Glover (Army), Irwin Gould (Army), Chuck Gudbrandsen (Army), Greg Hall (Army), George Kouba (Navy), Tom LeClair (Army), Tom Marks (Navy), Mike Moebs (Navy), Ted Moorman (Air Force), Don Murray (Air Force), Marcus Murray (Army), Alain Nicoletta (Army), W. Douglas Pfeifle (Navy), Paul Putzel (Army), John L. Redmond (Army - Air Force), William Scroggins (Army), Niya Seymour-Murray (Army), Patricia Simmons (Marines), Bud Turner (Navy), Gabriel Tyree (Navy), John Vignocchi (Army) and Frank Waldeck (Army). These veterans served during World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. Several are still on active duty.

After the roll was read, Assistant Head of School Bob Bullard introduced eighth-grade students Layne Eklund, Colin Weil, Georgia O’Neil, and JD O’Keane, who shared their impressions of the Class of 2015’s recent trip to Washington D.C. Each speech expressed gratitude to the veterans in attendance.

JD O’Keane closed his speech with a powerful message, in which he implored, “Let us thank the veterans for their bravery, courage, and willingness to fight for our freedom. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have the great life that these men and women gave us. From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you for putting your life in front of ours so we could have a better future.”

The guest speakers at Wednesday’s ceremony were Captain Bill Bulis, whose children Katie

(Grade 3) and Jacob (Grade 5) attend LFCDS, and Captain W. Douglas Pfeifle, whose children Collin (Grade 3) and Will (Grade 5) also attend LFCDS. Captain Bulis assumed command of the Great Lakes Naval Station two years ago, and has spent 23 years in the United States Navy, a number of which were spent as a Navy Fighter Pilot. Captain Pfeifle, a winner of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, took command of Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois this past summer.

Captain Bulis talked to the audience about the hard work and amount of responsibility that it takes to be in the armed services, and encouraged the students to reach out to an adult and learn their story. Captain Pfeifle addressed the students seated on the atrium floor on the meaning of the term “veteran,” and emphasized the importance of a communal effort in securing freedom. Both captains spoke with humor, wit, and eloquence and left lasting impressions for all who attended this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.

Favorite patriotic music numbers were performed by students to commemorate the veterans and their service. Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Scott Baeseman, with support from Lower School Music teacher, Maria Hempen, led students in these songs. The third-grade students sang the “The Star-Spangled Banner;” fourth-grade students sang “Fifty Nifty United States;” and Grades 1 through 8 sang “Thank You Soldiers,” bringing the event to an emotional and memorable close.

LFCDS is committed to cultivating responsible citizens and students of character by developing student participation in community service. Veterans Day offered LFCDS students the opportunities to demonstrate their citizenship by honoring the service of veterans. LFCDS believes that instilling the core values of participation and citizenship into each child will contribute to their current and future success. The Veterans Day Assembly is an important way in which LFCDS’ commitment to responsible citizenship is exemplified.

Lake Forest Country Day School is a premier regional independent school dedicated to excellence in education for children ages 2 to Grade 8. For more information on LFCDS, please visit www.lfcds.org or call (847) 234-2350.