General Johnnie Wilson Middle School, 2700 Washington Ave. in Lorain, celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 10 with a full assembly.
The assembly, led by Gen. Johnnie G. Wilson himself, has become a tradition at the school in recent years.
Although Wilson was unable to physically attend the ceremony this year, he prepared a Veterans Day speech in a pre-recorded message for the school.
The former Four Star Army general offered his story to students, in hopes of helping them understand the holiday’s significance.
“We serve because we made an oath to our Constitution that says we will defend our Constitution, domestically or overseas,” he said. “I hope that you stop a veteran (today) and say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ ”
The assembly included student poetry themed for Veterans Day, as well as presentations by the seventh and eighth grade band and choir.
Wilson thanked the veterans in attendance, as well as school Principal Nikole L. Davis and her staff, for their work in spreading the message of Veterans Day to students.
“My personal thanks to all veterans with us, for their service and sacrifice for our nation’s security,” Wilson said. “Over the years, millions of men and women have, over time, served our nation.
“Today, the United States military has roughly 750 bases around the world.”
The assembly featured appearances from multiple veterans, including retired Coast Guardsman James Fuertes, the father of school secretary Daphne Fuertes-Yost.
Fuertes explained that his journey to military service began when he was around middle school age.
He said he hoped to encourage students with his story.
“It’s an honor to be invited to this assembly,” Fuertes said. “My military career started probably around your guys’ age.
“I had an uncle who served in World War II for most of the years, three years in Europe.”
The assembly was capped off with a veteran pinning ceremony, courtesy of the Nathan Perry Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution.
Daughters of American Revolution members Diane Cover and Amy Vitelli performed the ceremony for veterans who served from 1955 to 1975, including Fuertes, to thank them for their service.
Fuertes told the students that he is proud of the time he spent serving in the Coast Guard, where he also served alongside the U.S. Navy.
He served 24 years on active duty, and 26 years in the military reserves.
Fuertes said he served with people from all walks of life during his military career, but they all worked under the same cause of serving the American people.
“I really enjoyed the time I was in (the service),” he told the students. “I think at the time, I felt like I really did, we really did something, both in the Navy and the Coast Guard.
“Again, I thank you for inviting us here.”
