November 11, 2024 - Across its 589 square miles, elementary, middle and high school campuses in Comal ISD opened their doors to military family and community members in heartfelt Veterans Day ceremonies on Friday, Nov. 8.
The honored guests included grandparents, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters of students and staff members. Coordinated and presented by student-led organizations like student council, student 2 student and JROTC groups, the ceremonies featured guest speakers, student performances and the missing man table in honor of all U.S. military service members who have fallen, are missing or imprisoned.
From a parade at Goodwin Frazier Elementary to a combined ceremony for Pieper Ranch Middle and Pieper High School that filled the Warriors stadium, the sentiment shared throughout the district was the same, one of remembrance, gratitude, respect and patriotism.
Here is just a sample of stories from honored guests.
Retired Maj. Barbara McGill, United States Army
The guest speaker for Arlon Seay Elementary’s Veterans Day ceremony, Army retired Maj. Barbara McGill, spent 28 years serving in the military as a medical service corps officer from 1991 to 2019. She enlisted after finishing high school. Her father was drafted for the Korean War and continued to serve, and she along with two of her siblings followed in his footsteps.
Today, McGill is proud of her service and proud to share her experiences with others, especially her son, Andrew, who is a second-grade student at ASES.
“It’s wonderful to be so honored by so many people,” she says. “It means so much to have community and school supporting the military and honoring us.”
McGill share the Army’s seven values with the students and guests including loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, challenging them to remember them and apply them in their lives.
Capt. Timothy Starkey, United States Air Force
The ceremony at Arlon Seay Elementary, meant a lot to Timothy Starkey who attended with his wife, Elyse, and their five children. Three are students at ASES including Annabelle, a kindergarten student along with Jack and Tucker, who are in the pre-k program.
Starkey served 12 years in the Army as a black hawk pilot and has served in the Air Force as a C5 pilot since 2010. He chose to enlist in the Army National Guard out of high school, attended college and joined the ROTC before being commissioned in the Army.
He comes from a family of military veterans with his father, who served in the Marines, and an uncle, who served in the Air Force both during Vietnam, as his most influential.
“I think these programs are great for kids,” Starkey says. “Luckily in San Antonio there is a large veteran community; however, a lot of people don’t know the commitment it takes on the member but more importantly their family and friends. So sharing the stories and realizing why we actually celebrate the day is great to instill in people.”
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shannon Beshears, United States Coast Guard
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shannon Beshears attended the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlon Seay Elementary with his wife, Juanita, and was proud to watch his daughter, Catharine, who performed with the fourth-grade class.
Beshears served in the Coast Guard for 31 years, seven active duty and 24 active reserve. His father served in the United States Marine Corps, and his grandfather served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
“I think it is great to instill the values of service and love of country through ceremonies like this one,” he says. “It gives these students a sense of pride for us, the veterans, and for the country in which we live.”
Lt. Col. Stacey Stallard-Lugo, United States Army
Lt. Col. Stacey Stallard-Lugo will retire in December after a 30-year military career that began in 1994, starting as a combat medic and ending as a Brigade surgeon. She sat on the front row at the Veterans Day ceremony at Spring Branch Middle School where her daughter, Erianna Crandall, an eighth-grade student serves as the president of the student council and led the ceremony.
“We, veterans, did and do what we do for our children, families and country,” Stallard-Lugo says. “It is important for us all to know why and how we live such a fortunate and free life. Ceremonies like this also help our children understand why their parents had to miss important events, and they can be proud of their veterans.”
Retired Chief Daniel Hansen, United States Navy
Serving as the guest speaker for the Veterans Day ceremony at Spring Branch Middle School was a familiar face to students, staff and families. Retired Chief Daniel Hansen has been a JROTC instructor at Smithson Valley High School for 13 years. More importantly, he is the father of two SBMS students, Lexie and Genesis Hansen, who are in the eighth and seventh grades, respectively.
“It’s really cool to have your dad be so well known,” says Lexie. “He has influenced so many people.”
Chief Hansen made a point to share his favorite phrase when he took the podium. The phrase is “get to.” He explained that because of the sacrifices veterans have made throughout the history of the United States, everyone ‘gets to’ do countless things that are taken for granted every day.
“In America, we get to do countless things that many in the world wish they could do,” he said. “This is because of our great veterans and the sacrifices they make. Freedom is not free. It is paid for by the brave men and women who came before us, those serving now, and you who will step forward in the future.”
Sgt. Brandon Bird, United States Army
For United States Army veteran Brandon Bird, the Veterans Day ceremonies at campuses like Spring Branch Middle School reinforce what many parents, especially veterans, try to teach their kids at home – respect and gratitude.
“It is hard sometimes for a parent to teach these lessons of respect for our veterans or the significance of saying, ‘thank you,’ to a veteran,” says Bird, whose son, Weston, is a sixth-grade student at SBMS. “But, when our schools do these events, it is not just me saying it. They see it in action.”
Bird enlisted at the age of 17 with his parents’ permission, leaving for basic training a month after his high school graduation. He served as a forward observer E5. His oldest brother retired from the Army and four uncles served as well.
“I believe every veteran wants and deserves recognition, but almost none of them will ask for it. For us, we didn’t do it for fame or glory. We did it because we heard a calling. It was a job, a duty and most veterans will tell you they are just ordinary men and women just like everyone else.
“To me, that’s the reason they deserve our thanks and appreciation. They didn’t have to do it. They chose to do it.”
Besides Weston, Bird has four children who attend Comal ISD schools including Abigail, a seventh-grade student at SBMS, and three at Rahe Bulverde Elementary, Carson, a second-grade student, Wyatt, a first-grade student, and Madison, a kindergarten student.
Spec. Les Haider, United States Army
This year’s Veterans Day ceremony at Smithson Valley High School was extra special for twins Lukas and Lily Haider whose father, Specialist Les Haider was in attendance. While they have participated in many ceremonies over their years in Comal ISD, their father hasn’t always been able to attend.
“It means a lot, especially this year, to see him stand up and be appreciated,” says Lily, who is this year’s student council president.
Les served in Iraq and the Persian Gulf and completed his time in the Army Reserves. His father served for 28 years.
In addition to the twins who are seniors this year, Les has a 24-year-old son, L.J., who is a SVHS alumnus.
“As a kid, I didn’t know what a veteran was,” says Lukas. “Now I am very appreciative for all that they sacrificed and honoring them means a lot to me.”
Thank you to all veterans for your service and sacrifice.
Photo Descriptions
-Participating in the Arlon Seay Elementary Veterans Day ceremony pictured from left is Jaunita Bashears, Catharine Bashears and Shannon Beshears, who served in the United States Coast Guard for 31 years.
-Army Retired Maj. Barbara McGill was the guest speaker at the Arlon Seay Elementary Veterans Day ceremony where her sone, Andrew McGill is a second-grade student.
-Air Force Capt. Timothy Starkey and his wife Elyse, are pictured with their children at the Arlon Seay Elementary Veterans Day ceremony. Back row from left is Josephine, Elyse, Kayleigh and Timothy; bottom row from left is Annabelle, Jack and Tucker.
-Participating in the Spring Branch Middle School Veterans Day ceremony was veteran Brandon Bird who served in the United State Army and is pictured here with his son, Weston, who is a sixth-grade student at SBMS.
-Pictured from left is Gustavo Lugo, Lt. Col. Stacey Stallard-Lugo, Erianna Crandall, an eighth-grade student at Spring Branch Middle School, and Elizabeth Mamdouhi.
-Pictured from left is Genesis Hansen, Retired Chief Daniel Hansen and Lexie Hansen. Chief Hansen was the guest speaker at the Spring Branch Middle School Veterans Day ceremony where his daughters attend. He is also a JROTC instructor at Smithson Valley High School.
-Pictured from left is Lily Haider, Les Haider and Lukas Haider. Les is a veteran of the United States Army. His children, Lily and Lukas, attend Smithson Valley High School.