This morning, Holly Blackwell’s Scholastic Academy’s eighth-grade class hosted an appreciation breakfast for veterans and soldiers still serving in the armed forces. The idea for the breakfast came when the students were asked to write essays on why they should appreciate veterans.

‘But a veteran isn’t just a name that goes with a definition. It’s a person of courage, a person who wants peace for this country and a person who has hope that this nation will grow to become better and better every day.’

The students were so affected by what they found while doing research for their essays, they told their teacher they had to do something to appreciate the men and women who have sacrificed so much.
“But a veteran isn’t just a name that goes with a definition. It’s a person of courage, a person who wants peace for this country and a person who has hope that this nation will grow to become better and better every day,” the concluding statement in Alaya Burns’ essay, read.
When asked, many of the students said they had never given veterans much thought before writing their essays and were shocked to find out some of the things veterans deal with when they return home, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Compassion could be seen on the faces of the students who served the veterans breakfast.
There were about 20 veterans who attended the breakfast. “That’s the only part of my life I regret,” said Mayor George Flaggs Jr. when asked if he was a veteran.
Other Vicksburg dignitaries also came to the breakfast to show their support and appreciation.
Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong and Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace were among those in attendance.