Bloom Hamner

Christ School Celebrates the American Soldier



Christ School Celebrates the American Soldier

Special remembrance coincides with 100th anniversary of Armistice Day

Freedom comes at a cost that many people fail to appreciate. And in a world too often consumed by instant gratification and self-interest, there is one absolute – the American soldier.

Headmaster Paul Krieger spoke of the countless sacrifices made by veterans Monday as Christ School honored all men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Along with Mr. Krieger's speech in Assembly, the Angelus bell rang exactly 100 times at precisely 11 a.m. to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. November 11, 1918 saw the signing of an agreement between the Allies of World War I and Central Powers that would help bring about an end to the conflict.

"The interesting thing about freedom is that it's not really free at all. It is as expensive as it is rare," Mr. Krieger said. "Freedom is also very costly to those who choose to protect it – many have laid down their lives for it. Over 1,275,000 Americans have died over the past 243 years in the hopes of making and keeping us free – free to live where we want, free to root for your favorite football team, free to choose a profession, free to marry whoever we want, free to vote for whoever we want, free to enter into contracts, to own property, free to read what we want, and free to worship where, who, and what we want."

"As you leave here today, reflect on your gift of freedom. And when you hear an F-15 fighter roar by overhead at Mach 2 speed, or when you hear the sound of protestors outside of the White House, what you are really hearing are the sounds of freedom. When you see old soldiers marching proudly by in a Memorial Day or July 4th parade, look deeply into their eyes and what you'll see is their sacrifice – which keeps us free. As you have been the recipients of the actions of others who have gone before you, as they have passed the gift and blessing of freedom on to you, you must be willing to sacrifice and pass the torch of freedom onto another generation of Americans for them to embrace, honor, cherish, and protect."

Following his speech, Mr. Krieger recognized seven current members of Christ School's faculty and staff for their service – Father Kirk Brown (Captain, U.S. Army), Mr. Mike Mohney (Lieutenant, U.S. Navy), Mr. Tad Wheeler (Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps), Mrs. Jennifer McDonald (Corporal, U.S. Army Intelligence), Mr. Marcel Duhaime (Lieutenant, U.S. Coast Guard), Mr. Les Thornbury (Lieutenant, U.S. Navy) and Mrs. Lindsay Raiford (Major, U.S. Army Nursing Corps with two tours in Vietnam).

Christ School's commitment to veterans is a year-round initiative. The boys perform service hours at Asheville's Veterans Restoration Quarters, interview soldiers in their History classes, and even get to see battlefields and memorials for themselves on student trips. A father-son trip to Amsterdam, Dunkirk, Normandy, and London to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day is scheduled for June 2019.