Thoughts from our Head of School, Joseph Vorbach:
This morning we had an assembly that was part salute to student achievement and part salute to veterans. It was all really wonderful. Many of the scholarship recognitions we did for students today included the presence of both the scholarship namesake or sponsor as well as the parents of the recipient. Having these special guests present reminds us of the blessings that generous benefactors bestow on our school by supporting Catholic education and the accomplishments of students in our school. Having parents with us reminds us of the enterprise we are engaged in every school day -- to assist parents, the primary educators of their children, by providing their children with an excellent, Catholic, college preparatory education.
When we transitioned to the Veterans Day portion of the assembly, veterans on the O'Connell faculty and staff were called forward and the Jazz Ensemble played a medley of the service anthems. The Boys Choir accompanied by piano and violin sang a beautiful version of the song "Tell My Father." The students then heard from Mr. Rob Anders, a 2002 West Point graduate who active duty as an Army Infantry Officer in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2004 and 2007 and is now a Major in the District of Columbia National Guard. Representing the Travis Manion Foundation (http://www.travismanion.org/), Mr. Anders told the audience about the ultimate sacrifices made by Travis Manion and, in a separate incident, his good friend Brendan Looney. He told them the story of Travis Manion saying, "If not me, then who?" in response to a friend asking rhetorically why he had to deploy again.
The entire morning, in a very providential way given our country's preparation for another peaceful transition of power after a presidential election, was full of reminders about the blessings of our democracy and the noble courage that has been demonstrated over centuries to protect and advance its ideals. If you go deeper into the Travis Manion website at (http://www.travismanion.org/about-the-foundation/brothers-forever/ ), you can view an emotional video about Travis and Brendan. As the video concludes, President Obama issues a call to "honor the memory of the fallen by living out these ideals [e.g. integrity, honor, courage] everyday of our lives in the military and beyond." Today Rob Anders, himself a combat veteran, reminded all of us of the many ways we can rise to meet that challenge in our daily lives.