Maintaining a tradition of one decade, Northbrook Junior High School in Northbrook hosted the American Legion Post 791 Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Veterans Day on Monday.
Veterans and guests were invited to attend the all-school assembly. The program featured keynote speaker Erica Borggren of Chicago, a former United States Army captain who served in Iraq, the Republic of Korea, and through the U.S. Central Command region in the Middle East. Borggren, raised in McHenry, is currently vice president, corporate customer strategy & solutions for Exelon Corporation, according to a biography provided by the school.
“Maybe someday, some of you will serve in a uniform,” Borggren said to the middle schoolers who packed the bleachers. “And on Veterans Day, someone will thank you for your service.
“But my hope is that all of you will serve in some way, in some capacity,” Borggren said.
Northbrook American Legion George W. Benjamin Post 791 Commander James Ossey of Glenview was master of ceremonies and Chaplain Tom Mahoney of Northbrook offered prayers. Ossey also had the honor of illuminating the candle at the Fallen Comrade Table memorial. The table is set for military personnel remembered for the ultimate sacrifice.
To Pioneer Press, Ossey said about the junior high school venue and occasion, “This is always an important event.
“Veterans don’t do this for the recognition but it is so nice to see how much support we get from the community and everyone, especially during the Vietnam days when most of the soldiers that came back were not recognized or treated very well,” Ossey said.
“So this just really warms my heart to see the support that we get.”
The junior high’s Wind Ensemble offered patriotic songs, and Rita Philbin, 12, a seventh-grader, performed on a gleaming French horn.
Philbin said it’s very important to recognize military members and veterans and to “respect them for the work they put into keeping our country safe.”
Olivia LaCerra, 17, of Northbrook and a Glenbrook North High School senior, was given the honor to sound “Taps” on a silver trumpet. This year was her second time doing so at this event.
“I think it’s just very important to be able to give back to the veterans, especially after what they’ve done for us,” LaCerra said. “And I think that, like, although we can’t do as much to show our gratitude, this is one way for me to show my gratitude for them.”
“It’s really focusing on giving the veterans their moment,” she continued. “It’s a moment for them.”
