In honor of Memorial Day, History Department Head Doug MacLehose hosted his annual special memorial assembly that has been going for 10 years as a way to honor fellow veterans in both the school and the community. Six students each individually spoke a few words as an introduction for each veteran stating their names, their educational history (most were graduates of Stamford High School or Westhill), and when they served. Three of the honorees included security guards James Jordan (better known as J.J.), Mike Gomez, and well-known substitute teacher Cortez Stokes.

The assembly turned out to be a full house, with over three classes filling the small auditorium. Each veteran spoke for a few moments about their time serving the nation and the influences that lead to them joining, which included drafting, needing money, and wanting to serve their country. Several students asked questions ranging from what serving was like to life after their service. Vietnam veteran Jim Dudley spoke of the negative experiences following his return home, where he’d experience not being served when he had his uniform on and witnessing his brother, another fellow veteran, being spit at upon his return. However, not everyone had a smiliar experience – another one of the presenters stated, “I received the opposite; I was welcomed home with open arms. If I was spit on, this would be 41 years ago now…I’d just be getting out of jail.” In closing, the Magical Singers sang God Bless America, to which everyone stood and honored the veterans one last time before dispersing.