Student Council prepares to honor our troops at annual Veteran’s Day Program
By:Kristen Ferrara
Hudson High School Student Council will host its annual Veteran’s Day Program on Wednesday, November 11. The event begins with a breakfast followed by an honorary ceremony. The student body and faculty of Hudson High along with veterans from around Angelina County will be in attendance.
Mrs. Bolt has participated in the Veteran’s Day Program since the very first ceremony in January of 1991 after Desert Storm. This particular program was special to her because it was very personal as it primarily focused on Desert Storm, because Senator Phil Graham came to speak, and because there was a significant community presence. Mrs. Bolt has taken part in around 15 programs since then, and she claims that the ceremonies have “developed into something that honors every veteran from war time, peace time, and every era that we still have people alive to honor.” Mrs. Bolt feels it is very important that we continue to commemorate veterans, even years after their service, so that they feel appreciated.
Mrs. Mize has played a role in the program for the past 4 years. As a Student Council sponsor, Mrs. Mize has had many interactions with veterans, but one encounter stands out among others. She claims,“One year I met a veteran who had been one of the engineers who drew up the plans for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That’s one of the most critical moments in human history, and that guy was one of the people who was coming up with the plan for it. I thought it was remarkable that a guy in east Texas would have been a part of that.” She takes pride in the moment “when Mr. Whiteker said that our country treated us Vietnam veterans horribly, but Hudson High School has made up for it.” Mrs. Mize is astounded by the impact the programs throughout the years have had on the lives of veterans and proud that she was able to take part in such a feat.
Mrs. Bolt and Mrs. Mize decided last year that they would no longer be Student Council sponsors and passed the baton to Ms. Stanford, Mrs. Hines, and Mrs. Lucas, all of whom are confident in the success of the 2015 program. This year’s speaker is Mike Taylor, a retired member of the US Army. Mrs. Stanford claims, “Student Council is planning a few special honors and recognitions of some local veterans this year.” She believes this outreach is important because “all veterans, local and abroad, deserve the honor and respect of younger generations. Student Council is vital in making that continued connection last as the years pass by.”
Mark Condron, an employee of Hudson ISD and active member of the US Army, understands the importance of this bond. As a Sergeant Major, which is the highest rank that can be achieved on the enlisted side, Mr. Condron “insures that all the other sections within Operations complete their duties on a daily basis so that our mission to supply Tactical Communications to many different units throughout South West Asia is completed.” Such a critical responsibility, as any in the armed forces, deserves recognition, which Student Council hopes to generously supply. Condron perfectly sums up the purpose of the program when he claims, “ I feel very honored every time I attend the Veterans Day program, and I am sure that all of the Veterans feel the same way.”
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