SPA prides itself on recognizing all holidays. We reserve time and attention for everything from Earth Day to Denim Day. Yet, as the country paused to acknowledge our Veterans, SPA stayed silent without a single mention in assembly, advisory, newsletter. Veterans Day is arguably the most important holiday for SPA to recognize.
The origins of our institution are intertwined with the military. Our community began as a military academy designed to send young men to serve. This ultimately changed in 1969 during the merger with Summit School.. Alum Hugh K. Schilling, class of ‘43, was an Army Air Corps cadet who served in World War II. Students frequently use his name when referring to SPA buildings, yet few know his history and contributions to this country. He donated 15.9 million dollars to the school, yet none of us honored him on Veterans Day. Today, we have teachers and faculty who are in the reserve. Our past and current military personnel deserve recognition.
Despite our past, most students and graduates today live almost completely divorced from the military. Many take for granted the protection and defense of our nation, interests, and allies across the globe. Days of recognition are set aside to bring awareness to the respective, often unrepresented, group — an education desperately needed in the SPA community.
The military consists of individuals who voluntarily risk their lives to defend freedom and serve a purpose greater than themselves. Across the globe, American ideals are at are being fought for. The comfort that they provide us is at risk. The 16.2 million veterans of the U.S. military voluntarily gave up their comfort, suffering mental and physical injuries, serving and sacrificing in ways that most of us are never asked to for the success and prosperity of our nation. We owe them a great debt. And they, before any other group, deserve the time and respect of our institution.
The military exists so that students like us can have the opportunity to free ourselves from the worry of national security. For the privileged students at this school, who live on the backs of the veterans, to not even pause for a moment on Nov. 11 to recognize and honor the generations of men and women who serve our country is a disgrace to the institution. A library exhibition or an assembly presentation would have allowed the community to learn and support those who fight for the greater good.
To ensure this never happens again, I contacted the administration and expressed my concern, the faculty were receptive. I am working towards creating programming next year so that, hopefully, there will be a greater celebration of this Veterans Day in the SPA community. An assembly or a conversation with veterans would allow students to engage with Veterans Day. The library could create recognition through a display that students can interact with. The simplest mention in morning advisories would acknowledge the importance of our veterans.
Let us acknowledge the strength of the country and our community, established solely through the service of others. Let us never fail to honor Veterans Day again.
