Serviceman Asks Dedham Students to Celebrate Veterans Day

Sgt. Roger Pilot stood in front of 200 Dedham Middle School sixth graders on Friday to share the meaning of Veterans Day.

Pilot, who served as an infantryman for the US Army in Afghanistan said Veterans Day should be a celebration.

“On Monday, I hope you come out and celebrate,” Pilot said.  “I hope you recognize those people that gave it their all… a hand shake, a hug- all of that helps.”

Pilot, a father of a Dedham Middle School student and DMS graduate said Veterans Day doesn’t just celebrate soldiers but also their families and those who have helped them along the way.

While most schools observe the holiday with just a day off, Dedham Middle School principal Debra Gately, a daughter and sister of Marines said a presentation helps students understand the  true meaning of this holiday.

“Veterans Day is a holiday that gets lost in translation about what the importance is behind it. To bring someone in that has actively served, and can explain to the students what it’s all about and why we have that day off is most important to us.

DMS has been holding Veterans Day assemblies for 20 years.

As part of their celebration, the school also presented a list of students’ relatives that have served. 

Pilot assisted students with a flag folding ceremony while students Jason Leonard and Wyatt Staton-Todaro played taps on the trumpet.

It was State Senator Mike Rush, a veteran himself, who challenged students to a weekend assignment. 

 “Seek out a veteran over the weekend and say to them ‘Happy Veterans Day,’” Rush said.