Nearly 100 Veterans, along with guests, all Thomas Jefferson High School students, educators, and staff members filled just about every seat in the TJ Theater for the school’s annual Veterans Day Celebration on Friday, November 8, 2024. This full-capacity ceremony celebrated and commemorated the service of our country’s Heroes.

The program began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by senior Gavin Hart, the National Anthem performed by senior Olivia Virgin and the Thomas Jefferson High School Marching Band, and the invocation given by Mrs. Suzanne Mackulin. Several times throughout the ceremony, the Thomas Jefferson High School Band, Orchestra, and Choir provided a patriotic soundtrack that served to honor all branches of the military and the selfless giving of American Veterans.

Brooke McGrew, senior, addressed the audience on her decision to enlist in the United States Air Force before graduating high school. Brooke will study civil engineering and be based in Martinsburg, West Virginia. A call to military service is multi-generational in Brooke’s family.

“The United States Military is the best in the world,” Brooke said. “Soldiers fight every day to keep our country safe and secure. It is a true honor for me to serve in the U.S. Military. I am proud to be following in the same path that many did in my family. I would like to thank my teachers, my friends, and most importantly my family who encouraged me to take this next step in my life, and I hope this will encourage others to take it too.”

The keynote address was given by Lieutenant Colonel Chelsea Lamping. Lt. Colonel Lamping joined the Air Force in 2003 and spent 12 years flying a C-17 Globemaster before joining the Air Force Reserve and working in flight testing. With 21 years of service, she told students that the most profound lesson she learned was the power of being part of a team.

“Teams aren’t just the ones who wear uniforms,” Lt. Colonel Lamping explained. “Teams are anyone working together towards a common goal. Your family at home, your friends, your partners for the group project that your teacher assigned are all different types of teams. And like any good team the best ones share common values that guide them.”

Lt. Colonel Lamping compared the core values of the United States Air Force – integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do – with the core values of Thomas Jefferson High School – empathy, respect, and integrity.

Integrity, she said, means doing the right thing, being honest with yourself and others, sticking to your values, and owning your actions. That integrity, she believes, builds trust which holds all relationships together.

“You can show empathy in everyday moments like checking in on a friend who seems down or helping a teammate who is struggling. Even as simple as inviting someone to sit with you at lunch shows you care.”

Lt. Colonel Lamping encouraged the students to practice respect every day. But she told them, it is not just about being polite. Rather, respect is valuing oneself and others enough to give the best effort in everything. 

“When you strive for excellence, you show respect. Not just to others but yourself. I value my time, my potential, and the people around me enough to put in the effort to do my best. Respect and excellence go hand-in-hand because when you push yourself to do your best, you are showing you care about the people in the community around you.” 

Those values, Lt. Colonel Lamping professed, are more than words written in mission or vision statements. They support the journey, help guide choices, and shape one’s future.

“As you honor our Veterans today, remember that they too lived by a set of values, they faced unimaginable challenges, made sacrifices, and worked as a team to protect our freedoms.”

Lt. Colonel Lamping left the more than 1,000 TJ students with a challenge.

“Live by a set of values, lead with integrity, strive for empathy, and respect yourself and others. By doing so, you’ll build stronger teams and a better community. And just like our Veterans did, you’ll pave the way for a brighter future.”