Mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers are names remembered by several LT students and families on the holiday of Veterans’ Day. LT’s 15th annual Veterans Day assembly paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of veterans, soldiers, and those who have served in the military throughout the nation’s history.

During third period at SC and sixth period at NC on Nov. 11, an assembly was held in each campus’s field house, paying tribute to veterans. Throughout the assembly, many students were spotlighted in paying their respects. Jack Kraus ‘25 performed the ceremonious notes of “Taps” on the trumpet. Kathrine Sieple ‘26 and Abigail Scouffas ‘28 shared a historical and inspirational speech on the history of Veterans’ Day .Virginia Gibbs ‘25 proudly sang the National Anthem.

“Over time, Armistice Day evolved — following sacrifices of veterans in WWII and the Korean War [people] advocated for the day to honor all veterans,” Sielple said during her speech. “In response, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially renamed the holiday to Veterans’ Day.”

Special education teacher, former freshman wrestling coach, and highly accomplished veteran Joe Puzzo also presented a moving message as keynote speaker. He spoke in honor of friends unable to be in attendance. His speech had overall themes of loyalty, heroism, service, and bravery.

 “There are people who raised their right hands from a very young age — who served so some do not have to,” Puzzo said. “These young volunteers [did] not know the dangers that they may face in their futures, yet they still commit — that is bravery.”

With the assembly closing, Vietnam veteran Micheal Lindy received an honorary high school diploma from Superintendent Dr. Brian Waterman through a program called Operation Recognition.

“Veterans’ Day assemblies at LT are always special,” Waterman said in an instagram post. “But awarding an honorary diploma to Class of ‘63 student made [the day] so memorable.”

To round out the day preliminary to the assembly, Student Council hosted a luncheon for veterans, their families, and Illinois National Guard recruiters from the NC military week. Many families, including the family of Francis Casiple ‘25 were touched by efforts. Their day was spent remembering their family and honoring Casiple’s veteran grandfather, Harry Phillips, who served in the Vietnam War and visited LT. Having served during a time of division surrounding the aim of the Vietnam War, Phillips expressed that a long time ago for Vietnam veterans, Veterans’ Day was treated as any other day. Now Vietnam veterans are being commemorated for their sacrifice and bravery everywhere. This makes LT’s annual appreciation even more celebratory as the event’s grace contributed to that accomplishment. 

“I hope you understand what it has taken to give you the freedoms that we have today,” Phillips said. “[We] gave up a lot to have what you have today, and I hope today gives you a small appreciation of it.”