Selfless service is topic of Veterans Day program at Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School

Stephanie Hill, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·3 min read

Nov. 11—"All gave some and some gave all."

Army Major Ben Huzzey explained this military adage during the Veterans Day Program at Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School on Thursday. He spoke about the selfless service of the men and women who served, and are currently serving, in the United States military.

"What defines veterans the most is selfless service," Huzzey said. The U.S. military's "responsibility to the nation is unique. Our responsibility is to fight in our nation force and protect this great country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Throughout the history of this great nation our veterans have been called to serve in ... world wars, on the beaches of pacific, in the jungles of Vietnam and most recently in the eastern lands of Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout it, as the old military adage goes, all gave some and some gave all."

Huzzey served several tours overseas as an intelligence officer and spoke about his time overseas.

"This call of duty did not involve cool video game graphics, controllers and expensive consoles, but a real sense of selfless service and a dedication to our mission," Huzzey said. "It is not a game, although I do enjoy an occasional game of Modern Warfare when I get the chance."

He also spoke of other sacrifices military members make. For Huzzey, those sacrifices included missing time with family members and different milestones of his children.

"It all comes with a cost. Selfless service comes with a cost. A price that our veterans have paid many times over and over," Huzzey said. "...(while deployed) I thought of (my family) constantly and cherished the nights we had a Facetime call and emailed back and forth. But there is nothing that can make up for missing the hugs and kisses of the ones you love the most."

Huzzey said he, and other veterans, don't share stories for sympathy and attention, but hope people understand the gratitude owed to those who selflessly served to protect the nation.

"When you see an older gentleman with a salt and pepper beard wearing a black truckers hat with the words Desert Storm, Vietnam or Korea on the front, make an effort to acknowledge them even with the slightest of smile, a wave or a word of gratitude so that they know they are seen and you understand that beneath that black hat is an American who through various acts of selfless service left behind their family and answered the call to defend their country," Huzzey said.

Huzzey also talked about the selfless service of those who work in public safety, education, and healthcare and how they have played an important role over the last few years.

"The work of these members of our community is critical to keep the bright American future secure as an example of all those who follow in their footsteps," Huzzey said.

The program also featured the presenting of the colors by the Midland Valley NJROTC and performances by the 7th and 8th grade band with Kimberly Dunbar singing . Students Eli Davis, 8th grade, Camarie Castor, 7th grade, Logan Ingle, 7th grade, Sofia Luquin Mendez, 7th grade, and Amira Olek, 6th grade, all read poems they wrote about honor. Gemma Roach performed "Taps" on the trumpet.

Thursday's program was the first in-person, full school Veterans Day program since 2019, LBC principal Casey Rogers said.