One by one, a veteran of one of America’s six armed forces solemnly walked up to the front of the large conference room at the Cartwright School District Training Center to join Superintendent Dr. LeeAnn Aguilar-Lawlor. Dr. Lawlor – a veteran herself – praised the sacrifices and heroic devotions demonstrated by the veterans, all of whom are Cartwright employees, former students or community members. All were recognized at the annual Honor Hour tribute, a Veteran’s Day tradition launched by the superintendent who served in the U.S. Air Force and was activated as a medical specialist during Operation Desert Storm. “We cannot thank you enough,” Dr. Lawlor said. The honorees represented a cross-section of backgrounds and military service, including former tankmen in the U.S. Army, first sergeants in the U.S. Air Force and colonels in the U.S. Marine Corps, among others. Images of their time in the military were shown during a special slideshow that also included video depicting historical scenes of military and political significance.
Another video showed an interview with a former Tarver/Atkinson student who revealed her decision to join the military was cemented at the middle school during a job fair immediately following 9/11.
The event drew scores of Cartwright employees, including teachers, principals, administrative staff, spouses and children.