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Munson Veterans Week 2023
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Contact:

Kelly Misch
Communications Director
Chardon Local Schools
[email protected]
440.286.0409

F. Jason Arotin, U.S. Navy Senior Chief Machinery Repairman Information Warfare (active) Robert Mormile, U.S. Army (retired) Steve Szeredy, U.S. Army (retired) Marcus Schott, U.S. Navy Sub mariner (retired) Richard Selfridge, U.S. Army E-6 (retired) Erik Hanson, U.S. Army Sergeant (retired) William (Chris) O'Dell, U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (retired) Joel Ovanic, U.S. Army E Sergeant First Class (retired)
(collages from left, clockwise) F. Jason ArotinU.S. Navy Senior Chief Machinery Repairman Information Warfare (active); Robert Mormile, U.S. Army (retired); Steve Szeredy, U.S. Army (retired); Marcus Schott, U.S. Navy Sub mariner (retired); Richard Selfridge, U.S. Army E-6 (retired); Erik Hanson, U.S. Army Sergeant (retired); William (Chris) O'Dell, U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (retired); Joel Ovanic, U.S. Army E Sergeant First Class (retired)

Munson Veterans Week 2023
A Time of Honor and Service

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November 11, 2023 — Munson Elementary's annual Veterans Week traditions were once again an inspiring success, creating engaging opportunities for young Hilltoppers to learn about the importance of honoring Veterans Day and how they can make a difference both now and later in their lives through service projects.

photo:  field of flags on school front lawn; student artwork: red poppies
Munson's Veterans Week is made possible every November both by the dedication of the school's long-running Veterans Day committee of teachers and support staff — a group led by educational assistant Mrs. Rose Romans; and by the generosity of students' families.  
photo:  field of flags on school front lawn; student artwork: red poppies

school hallway bulletin board with student essaysHANDS-ON ACTIVITIES (examples):
  • Penny Wars - Collectively raised $2,300 for local veterans charities!
  • Raising Money for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - in progress
  • Stockings for Soldiers, a DeJohn Funeral Homes initiative - in progress
  • Short Essays on Veterans / Active-Duty Military Members
  • Red Poppy Art Project
  • NEW! Field of Flags - Thank You Mrs. McClung of Card My Yard Chardon!
photo:  school hallway bulletin board with student essays

SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
Judge John Eklund of the 11th District Court of Appeals of Ohio / the Court's Presiding and Administrative Judge - action photo - speaking to the audienceJudge John Eklund

Veterans Week's culminating event was the school assembly on Nov. 10, which began with a meaningful introduction by Judge John Eklund of the 11th District Court of Appeals of Ohio / the Court's Presiding and Administrative Judge.

Judge Eklund led the assembly's Pledge of Allegiance and then shared ideas with students on how they can uphold their Pledge of Allegiance in life through their actions, serving as role models in their community whether taking the path of enlistment or a different career path.
photo:  Judge John Eklund

U.S. Military Speaker Panel
From the speaker panel, students learned examples of specialties in the military, including engineering, mechanics, emergency medical service, and much more. Each of the guest speakers generously gave of their time at the assembly, sharing their experiences at an age-appropriate, relatable level and readily expressing messages of motivation and inspiration.


(l to r in group photo at left)
Robert MormileU.S. Army (retired)
Steve Szeredy, U.S. Army (retired)
F. Jason ArotinU.S. Navy Senior Chief Machinery Repairman Information Warfare (active)
Marcus SchottU.S. Navy Submariner (retired)
William (Chris) O'DellU.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (retired)
Richard SelfridgeU.S. Army E-6 (retired)
Joel OvanicU.S. Army E Sergeant First Class (retired)
Erik HansonU.S. Army Sergeant (retired)

zoomed out view of students and staff in the audience at the assembly - listening to the speakers
Many of the U.S. military guest speakers are dads or grandfathers to Munson Elementary students and proudly called out the names of their students in the audience. Their children and grandchildren beamed with pride while peers 'oohed and ahhed' upon learning of the family connections between the guests on-stage stage and the audience!

A Q&A session followed with students eager for a turn at the microphone to ask questions.

G-TV logo
With thanks to G-TV, the assembly was livestreamed and can be accessed for replay at the following
 BoxCast LINK.

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