When speaking with high school students about their middle school experiences at Calvin Christian one may expect to hear their memories of funny events, field trips, or other projects, but inevitably the thing they remember the most is the morning they spent interviewing veterans. In eighth grade, students have the unique opportunity of interviewing veterans from World War Two, Korea, and Vietnam. These men have served in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps. During one morning the week of Veterans’ Day, eighth grade students come with questions and interview two veterans. What they hear from these brave men is life changing.
One exchange student from Korea interviewed a First Sergeant in the Marine Corps, who served during World War Two and Korea, and in her thank you note she thanked him for saving her grandparents and her family. He still carries her note with him today. This year she is in tenth grade, and when she found out how much her note meant to him she came to visit with him during the interviews. He was thrilled to see her again.
These veteran interviews not only impact our students and change their thoughts on war and what it means to be a patriot, but they also give our veterans the important opportunity to share living history with a new generation. Every year we are honored that they come to share their stories with us.
