Being in the presence of military veterans was nothing new for Seneca High School senior Chandler Dwyer.
Continuing in the footsteps of other family members, Dwyer will be heading to the Navy after graduating in June. He was able to see through those around him the importance of serving in the military.
However, for some of the other 27 students in the Lenape Regional High School District who will be heading to a branch of military at the end of the school year, they are heading into uncharted territory, with little idea of what to expect.
After being honored at the district’s fifth annual Armed Services Awards Ceremony, they were introduced to a new community, one of which only a handful of select alumni can say they are a part.
At the ceremony, members of the school and local community gave thanks to students preparing to enter the military and community members who have or are currently serving.
However, there was another connection being made throughout the evening, a connection only members of the military could make.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Dennis Devery, a Mt. Laurel native who spent 30 years in the military, and is the vice president for institutional planning and research at Thomas Edison State College.
Devery gave the graduating seniors an honest talk about the military, saying while many people wholeheartedly support veterans, others simply don’t care. This is where bonding with veterans becomes so important.
“They are the shoulders on which you will build your legacy,” Devery said.
While there are many advantages coming with military service, Devery explained there will be many sacrifices and tribulations with it as well.
Seneca High School senior Jayden Fries is prepared to make those sacrifices. Fries, who will be going into the Air Force, said he finds it easy to connect with those who have already served.
“You see a veteran and they sacrificed and we are about to sacrifice ourselves,” he said. “You make that connection immediately.”
Dwyer said the appreciation for veterans couldn’t be understated.
“Without them, there wouldn’t be us here,” he said. “We really appreciate that.”
The school district’s goal in holding the ceremony isn’t just to honor military personnel, but to create a Lenape community where military alumni can return home and talk about those entering the military.
Superintendent Carol Birnbohm told the seniors how crucial it was to support their fellow veterans.
“Hopefully this ceremony lets you know the importance of their service in your country,” she said.
Chris Heilig, the director of programs and planning for the district, said the district knows the importance of serving the military. The creation of a community of military personnel within Lenape’s alumni has helped to keep the awards ceremony going strong for five years.
A number of veterans, old and young, received awards at the ceremony. For students such as Dwyer and Fries, those veterans have served as role models for them.
Soon, Dwyer and Fries will become role models for Lenape students of the future.
