Arma Dei Academy and family members attend weekly Chapel on Friday mornings, but on November 6, 2015 a very special Veteran Day Celebration chapel was held.
The Academy celebrated Veterans Day with almost 15 men and women, related to Arma Dei families, representing careers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Army Reserves. These decorated individuals honored and allowed the Academy to celebrate them and their service to our Country.
The celebration included students honoring the Veterans by walking into the auditorium to the Marine’s Hymn and then singing My Country Tis of Thee. The first graders led the Pledge of Allegiance as several Veterans saluted the Flag in honor of the United States. The strings class played two patriotic songs, students sang God Bless America, and the Academy prayed for the Veterans in attendance, all Veterans, the United States, and freedom.
Our sixth graders had the special opportunity to introduce five of the decorated Veterans in attendance.
One veteran, Mr. David Winscott, the grandfather of fourth grader, Evan Winscott, served as an Army Combat Chaplain with the First Infantry Division (the Big Red One) in Viet Nam in 1969. He was awarded the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Mr. Winscott’s responsibilities included conducting as many as 16 worship services a week in scattered and isolated Fire Support Bases encircled by enemy Vietcong and North Viet Nam Regular Army. As a M*A*S*H Chaplain, he ministered to severely wounded and dying soldiers.
Another special veteran in attendance was Mr. Steven Marshall. Not only was Mr. Williams a decorated Colonel in the U.S. Army, but also is the father to twin second graders, Tyler and Tristen. Mr. Williams served for 24 years and graduated from the University of Colorado as a Distinguished Military Graduate Army ROTC. He holds a Master’s of Science in National Security Strategy from The National Defense University.
Mr. Williams was deployed over 23 times in many positions and divisions all over the world with many locations in combat or high conflict areas. After 9-11, Mr. Williams was assigned to a Counter- Terrorism Task Force that reported directly to the National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice. He has earned many awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Air Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Additionally, Mr. Williams has been interviewed in depth on the battlefield with Fox News, referenced in various books, and several news articles.
After the sixth graders introduced our panel, the Veterans answered questions and enlightened the Academy about their service to Country and God. As the Academy, studies history and wars, these Veterans brought history to life and allowed students to see first hand what it means to sacrifice for your Country and freedom. May God bless these veterans and all veterans that sacrificed and served for the United States’ freedom.