For the first time at MHS, the football program will recognize veterans through a memorial dinner and game on Friday. 

Liza Cooper, senior, wanted to start recognizing those who served in a similar way to an annual veterans breakfast at Crestview Middle School. This breakfast takes place in the cafeteria with some of the students eating with their veteran family members. 

“My dad was in the army,” Cooper said. “I feel like it’s important to honor people who served.”

MHS and AFJROTC will host a free dinner at 5 in the commons for the veterans and their families. 

Veterans will then be escorted across the football field accompanied by a number of AFJROTC students to be honored by name before the kickoff. Attendees needed to RSVP by Oct. 3. These veterans and their families will be granted free admission into the game.

Cooper coordinated with Sophomore Principal Dr. Dan Ramsey and Colonel Gary Wamble to invite local veterans and prepare for the event. 

Dr. Wamble reached out to a number of senior living facilities in the area to invite retired veterans to the event. He wanted to honor as many local retirees as possible and make the game as patriotic and celebratory as possible. 

“In the ROTC program, we do a lot with veterans, so we thought we’d turn the tables and bring them here,” Dr. Wamble said. 

Four of the ROTC students will perform as the color guard on the field to honor the veterans. Dr. Wamble doesn’t take the day for himself, but instead thinks it’s important to recognize those who served before him and have since retired. 

Dr. Ramsey said he is looking forward to the event because it is something never done before at MHS. Principal Dr. Steve Hankins will give remarks during the dinner welcoming the veterans and their families. 

“Veterans were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and we all owe them a debt of gratitude,” Dr. Ramsey said, “It’s a small thing that we at MHS can do to honor them.”