James Coleman '20, far left, and the rest of the Christ School's Veterans Service Club have been writing Christmas cards to patients at the Asheville VA Medical Center.
James Coleman '20 Spearheads School Effort to Thank Veterans
James Coleman '20 has a deep-rooted desire to serve his country one day.
You could say he has already started. James founded the new Veterans Service Club, which expands on community outreach initiatives that were already in place at Christ School.
"The most important thing you can do for a veteran is to let them know you care, that their sacrifice hasn't been forgotten," James said. "That's why I started the club. It makes me feel good to make them feel good."
Military men and women, with or without a connection to Christ School, are often invited to campus as guest speakers. And there are service opportunities for Greenies throughout the school year at the Veterans Restoration Quarters in Asheville.
James saw a need to build on that.
With the Christmas season here, he and the rest of the Veterans Service Club have been writing cards for patients of the Asheville VA Medical Center. The group will hand-deliver the cards before Christ School leaves for holiday break. Back in September and October, the Veterans Service Club coordinated the 22 Push-Up Challenge. Prior to 22 school days, boys did 22 push-ups in front of Wetmore Hall to raise awareness for the estimated 22 veterans who commit suicide every day.
While this is the first time James has led a club at Christ School, the military runs deep in his family.
A grandfather, Bill Jordan, is a veteran and aunts, uncles, and cousins have served as well. James said he has interest in colleges such as VMI, West Point, and the Citadel. He has considered enlisting in the Army or the Marine Corps as well.
"To serve my country would mean giving back to a country that has given me so much," James said. "It's given me food on my plate and a house over my head. I couldn't ask for anything better."
Other members of Veterans Service Club are Jack Adams '20, Jackson Bewley '20, Sawyer Breiter '22, Joseph Coladonato '20, Henry Duggins '20, Colson Etheridge '22, Wilton Graves '21, John English Hulsey '20, Jack Lee '21, Coles Manning '19, Thomas McIntosh '20, Ted Peterson '19, Cade Rodriguez '21, Hampton Sexton '22, and Joseph Visconti '20. Olga Mahoney is the club's faculty advisor.
