Honoring Our Heroes: A Veterans Day to Remember at Netzaberg Elementary School
As a fifth grade teacher at Netzaberg Elementary School, I often witness the incredible resilience and pride our military-connected students carry with them each day. This Veterans Day, that pride was on full display as fifth grade welcomed several active-duty U.S. Army parents into our classrooms to share their stories, their service, and their hearts with our students.
We were honored to host Lt. Col. Johnny Mulholland, Staff Sgt. Kevin Wilson, Sgt. 1st Class Perpetual Andoh Bannerman, Sgt. Ramirez, Lt. Col. Harrington, Lt. Col. Kylie, and Maj. Jacobs—each of whom brought a unique perspective on what it means to serve our country. They spoke about their military occupational specialties, the sacrifices they’ve made, and the reasons they chose to join the Army. Students were captivated as they learned about the badges and insignia on their uniforms, each one representing a story of courage, skill, and dedication.
One of the most memorable moments came when Maj. Jacobs shared how much she loved attending Airborne School, describing the thrill of jumping out of airplanes. She and Lt. Col. Kylie both reflected on the challenge of balancing their responsibilities to their soldiers with the needs of their families at home—a sentiment that deeply resonated with our students, many of whom live that reality every day.
Lt. Col. Kylie also shared powerful stories from his deployments, sparking curiosity and excitement among students who wanted to learn more about Air Assault School and Airborne School. These conversations weren’t just educational—they were deeply personal. Our students asked thoughtful questions, made connections, and expressed sincere gratitude: “Thank you for protecting our freedom.”
This event was more than a celebration—it was a reminder of the strong bond between our school and the local military community. At Netzaberg Elementary, we are proud to support our military-connected students and their families. Events like this strengthen that connection and help our students understand the depth of service and sacrifice that surrounds them.
To all our service members—thank you. Your stories inspire us, your service protects us, and your presence in our school enriches our community in ways words can hardly express.
