Being Thankful to Veterans

Thinking of all of our Veterans that have served this month as we highlight why we are thankful at WAVA. As someone who proudly served as an Army infantryman from 1985-1993 (Airborne, Air Assault, Army Ranger) Veterans Day holds special meaning for me and my family. Indeed, I consider it a privilege to have served our country and to have been part of a team that upheld the cherished values we all cherish as Americans, and I don’t regret joining at the age of 17 at all. It was in the military that I learned more than I anticipated about not only myself, but about other Americans and other people from around the world. Without a doubt, my 8 years in the Army contributed greatly to shaping the person I am today. Some people ask why I didn’t serve for 20 years and retire, and the answer to that is actually pretty simple. I had another goal: I wanted to be the first person in my family to attend college. Thankfully, the Army helped me achieve that dream, paving the way for what would eventually become a fulfilling career as a teacher — a career that I didn’t know would present even greater challenges than the ones I faced while serving in infantry units in South Korea, Colorado, and Hawaii. On this day, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the veterans, active-duty service members, and especially the military families within our wonderful WAVA community. The sacrifices you make, the resilience you show, and the support you provide make all the difference. We see you and appreciate you.

Wishing you all a wonderful month of November as we honor our Veterans and also share why we are thankful!

Warmly, Mr. Winslow 8th Grade Math & Science