In honor of Military Day, students of San Juan Hills High School paid tribute to the men and women who serve to protect our country. For the event, students competed in a letter writing contest between third period classes addressing all four branches of the military in the week leading up to Military Day.
On Nov. 9, representatives for each branch rolled into campus in their humvees where they set up booths presenting all of the benefits and requirements that come with joining the United States Military Force.
Brianna Samonte, a major aid for the event, shared her thoughts on the event with The Express concerning the impact of Military Day on the student body.
“It’s close to Veterans Day and it’s also election time so everything is nationalized. They do a lot for us and it’s a good way for us to give back,” Samonte said.
“I hope to get a lot of letters to send over to the troops abroad. Not just quantity, but quality because they should care about what they’re writing. I hope it unites the school for the day. It is a good event because it brings everyone together. I hope that because of our letters, the troops will have a brighter day and persevere,” said Samonte.
Samonte also said that students “should take away a grateful feeling and appreciation for these troops being overseas who enable us to live how we do and not to live in fear because we have people protecting us.”
Samonte believes it is important to show their support for our military because “it shows our national pride and unity. They are sacrificing their lives so we can live ours. It is good to think of others instead of ourselves.”
Naval recruiting officer Taylor R. Himes managed a booth promoting the United States Navy. Himes was ecstatic about SJHHS participating in the event. “It makes me happy to see this school get involved and that you’re being thought of. It’s touching every time I see people on all these days” Himes said. Himes has been active in our navy for 11 years and has traveled to 22 countries throughout his service. “It changed me for the better,” Himes said “I’ve seen a lot of different cultures like in Sicily and Japan. It really makes me less closed minded.”
Among other prizes and trinkets, officers handed out brochures listing the details of what financial aid the Navy offers in regard to college education. “The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps $180,000 scholarship is the best thing going because it pays 100% of tuition and degree for recruits. It also covers medical, dental, education, and travel along with 16 credits per year” Himes said. Applicants are required to enroll in certain courses and complete a four to five year active duty obligation in the Navy or Nurse Corps to qualify for the scholarship. T.J. Robertson, Jose Jimenez, Branden Pedraza, and Hector Cervantes are being egged on by a recruiting officer to work together to perform 4 box push ups.
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I am currently a Senior at San Juan Hills High School. In addition to working as a reporter for the school newspaper, I am also a member of the Golf Team, President of the Teens 4 Troops Club, and active member of the Senior Class Council. I can be reached at [email protected] or through Facebook.
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