NBC Schools Celebrate Veterans Day

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the campus at Northern Bedford County schools was buzzing with activity as both the elementary students and middle school/high school students prepared to celebrate Veterans Day.

Veterans Day was first recognized on Nov 11, 1918 when the agreement was signed to end WWI. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day in remembrance of the soldiers who served in WWI.

In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day to include all veterans, not just those who served in WWI and this tradition has continued to be a celebration of peace and recognition of those who have served.

At the NBC elementary, 44 veterans were welcomed to attend a program honoring those who served in any branch of the US military.

These brave men and women were invited as friends and family of students and staff and were honored with homemade cards created by the elementary student body.

Each service member stood to be recognized individually with a reading of their service record and were greeted by the student and/or staff member who invited them.

During the assembly, several members of the fifth grade student council spoke about each military branch while fellow student council members held the respective branch flag during each speech.

Danielle Pepple, Private First Class with the US Army and mother of fifth grade student, Hailey Pepple, humbly spoke about her service with the Army and the significance of Veterans Day to all military members.

Following Pepple's speech, service member Wyatt Brumbuagh, husband of elementary guidance counselor Madi Brumbaugh was honored with a welcome home banner signed by all students.

Brumbaugh had returned home a few days prior to the assembly from a 10-month deployment to Africa. The program concluded with the playing of Taps and many service members in attendance were humbled and appreciative of the recognition during the assembly.

At the NBC high school auditorium, middle school and high school students congregated to listen to NBC alumni, Fred Glasgow, speak about his military service.

Glasgow is a 1974 NBC graduate and retired US Navy member. During his military career, Glasgow had the privilege to fly among the elite fighter pilots at the Top Gun training school where he learned to fly the F14 fighter jet.

In speaking about his military service around the world, Glasgow encouraged students to find something they were interested in, be passionate about that interest and follow their dream.

The student led assembly opened with a moment of silence followed by the pledge. It also featured essays written and read by students, Avery Aungst and Kasey McElgin, which they wrote in conjunction with their Current Issues class. Throughout the assembly, the high school band performed as well as the high school and middle school choir sang patriotic songs. The program ended with a solemn playing of Taps by a member of the high school band.