By Nisali Fernando – Entertainment Editor 

For years, Milford students spent Veterans Day at home.

This year, Jonathan Law students and faculty embraced the national holiday and all it represents. As the entire school packed into the new gym, all eyes were on the brave men and women who served our country.

The event was organized by the history department at Law and was led by history teacher Mr. Kravecs. Unlike past Veterans Day events held at the school, students were given a pivotal role in the ceremony; they were given the privilege to educate the audience about the holiday itself.

“On the surface we have the event because we’re in school on Veterans Day and we didn’t used to be in school on Veterans Day,” Kravecs said. “There’s a major feeling out there if this day in particular is gonna have students in school, some level of education about the holiday needs to take place.”

Aside from the students, many veterans also chose to speak to the crowd and had very inspiring things to say to students.

Justin Knight is an electrical technician in the Navy. He captivated the audience with a personal parable about failure, hard work, and reaching success.

“Some people are hard-headed like me and you have to learn them (lessons) the hard way and you have to almost fail or you have to fail and then pick it back up,” Knight said. “If I can help prevent any one kid from having to go through that experience and learn from it that’s worth it.”

Students were given a chance to relate to the speakers, many we’re nodding and chuckling at the idea of failing a class after getting too comfortable. These veterans were more than servicemen and women, they proved to be people too.

Ihlo Yi managed to have the crowd in uproarious laughter by saying he was just going to wing his speech. A petty officer in the Navy, Yi is a recruiter here in Connecticut and told students his love for military came from struggling academically in school.

“I want to help people and the first step to help people I think is to build that relationship, coming here was a great way to have everyone see me and I see everyone and they get to know my face,” Yi said. “Even if y’all need somebody to help tutor in subjects… except math – I just want to be part of the school.”

The event proved to be very uplifting and reminded students what this holiday really means to them and their loved ones. For many, Veterans Day was never just a day off from school.

“I celebrate Veterans Day because I have a cousin who has served in the Army and I understand what families go through while their loved ones are away,” senior Abby Williamson said. “It is only right that we honor the people who put their life on the line for our country.”

Following the assembly, students were given a chance to interact with the veterans one-on-one and ask them any questions they had about their service. It allowed for students to bond with the servicemen and women over pastries as the Veterans offered sage advice.

“I thought the event was a success because the event went as planned, as a social studies department we put a lot of time and effort into thinking about who we wanted to intend and what roles we wanted students to be playing in the event,” Kravecs said. “I think the end result really showed that attention to detail and that planning to try to make it as positive an experience for everybody.”

According to Tom Flowers, the Sergeant Masters General of the Air Force and first speaker at the event, Veterans Day is not for those who have served but for those that are worth protecting.

“We don’t come here to be honored by you, we come here to honor you,” Flowers said.