Washington students honor veterans
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Damon Faldowski was the special guest speaker during a Veterans Day assembly at Washington High School Monday.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Allan Bunner, left and Art Batson along with other local veterans shake hands with Washington High School students after a Veterans Day assembly at Washington High School Monday.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Allan Bunner, left, and Art Batson along with other local veterans shake hands with Washington High School students after a Veterans Day assembly at Washington High School Monday.
Washington’s junior high and high school students observed Veterans Day Monday by shaking hands with local veterans and thanking them for their service.
Students had lunch with veterans before an afternoon assembly that featured patriotic music from the high school band and chorus.
“To all of our veterans and all currently serving in the military, we send a heartfelt message: Thank you for your service,” Superintendent James Konrad said.
The guest speaker for the event was 2002 Trinity High School graduate, Damon Faldowski, who was a U.S. Navy Seal from 2007 to 2015, when he left active duty to start a nonprofit organization for Gold Star families.
“I appreciate you giving veterans a platform,” Faldowski said. “To my fellow veterans, thank you for your service. Veterans Day is about remembrance and service. We remember those who went before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Faldowski was a high school senior in 2001. He said on Sept. 11 of that year, he remembers entering his world history class for a test. The television was on, and he and his classmates watched the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City together.
“We watched as a second plane came screaming into the North Tower, and we all knew our lives were going to change,” he said. “I didn’t know what that meant for me. All I knew is I felt that something had to be done.”
In 2006, he went to U.S. Naval Academy, and in 2007, he entered training to be a Navy Seal. He served two tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He earned several awards and decorations before leaving active duty in 2015.
He then went back to school, Harvard University and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, to get master’s degrees in public administration and business administration. Also, with help from his brother Mark Faldowski, he started a nonprofit, Legacies Alive, to support Gold Star families, those who lost a loved one during military service.
“Those families still live with that grief,” he said. “They still miss their loved ones. We knew nothing about running a nonprofit or about business or helping Gold Star families, but we had an idea and we saw a problem and we said ‘We’re going to try.’ Trying goes a long way.”
Faldowski also spoke to students about the importance of serving others, whether it’s in the military or in school or other outlets.
“There are so many different ways to serve,” he told students. “Start listening for a call to serve, and within the next year, answer that call.”
He said being able to share his story was an “honor.”
“I’m so proud to be from here,” he said.