The Veteran’s Day program at Central Heights was November 11, and many veterans came out to represent themselves and their alma mater. The Veteran’s Day program has been a longstanding tradition in Central Heights honors our past and present soldiers. Casey Peterson and Greg McEntire, two former soldiers, shared their opinions on the recognition.
McEntire said he didn’t want to participate at first.
“I tend to stay away from these kind of things,” McEntire said, “because quite honestly it’s a little awkward when someone thanks me for something that was a matter of ‘of course.’
Being a veteran typically comes with reason and initiative. McEntire said why he joined the military in the first place.
“I grew up in the navy, [and the] first thirteen years of my life were spent on and around navy bases all over the country, and in Spain. It was a natural thing for me to have gone to service. I played football and I lifted heavy things; then it came time to grow up.” McEntire said.
His surrounding environment changed his outlook on life and molded him to be who he was. Peterson had his own story to share, as he joined because of his grandfather.
“I was running a bad course in life, and my grandfather said, Look, you have choices, and I wanna see you do better,’” Peterson said, “A lot of my friends had joined, and I decided ‘you know what, 9/11 just happened, I’m not doing anything’ so I joined and I offered everything I could.”
These veterans have had very different lives, yet they both showed up to the Veteran’s Day Program. Casey Peterson said why he came and what made him feel obligated to show up.
“My kids,” Peterson said, “but it also helps with getting out; I don’t really do this, but I’ve gone through a couple of things where confining myself was not the best answer, so coming out helps.”
Peterson made an appearance to represent his children, as well as getting out of the house. McEntire, however, was asked by a Central Heights sponsor to be the key speaker for the Veteran’s Day program.
“Mrs. Johnson called and asked; My son transferred here, came here to play basketball extensively, and Mrs. Johnson called and she asked me.” McEntire said, “I have no trepidation about my service, or the action that I saw. My issue with coming was, I don’t like making a big deal out of it. But, being the key note speaker, I have a picture I found that represents the price that we derive our liberty and freedom from.”