OP_112719

6 | November 27, 2019 | the orland Park Prairie news
OPPrairiedaily.com
D135 schools wrap
month of events in
tribute to veterans
Mary Compton
Freelance Reporter
The celebration was
ready to begin. The placemats
were right where
they needed to be. Red,
white and blue balloons
decorated the tables.
Students at Century Jr.
High were just waiting for
their special guests: local
veterans.
Event organizers Kim
DeVries and Carrie Hallman
both had special reasons
to join in the celebration.
“We’ve been doing this
event at Century for 19
years,” said DeVries, who
is a social studies teacher
at the school. “My grandpa,
my father and fatherin-law
are all veterans.
Veterans hold a special
place in my heart. I feel
they should be honored
every year.”
During the month of
November, Orland School
District 135 held a number
of veterans celebrations,
beginning Nov. 7 at
High Point, where there
was an assembly, and then
students and their special
veterans made cards for
the troops. Century hosted
the final veterans event
on Nov. 20, and students
honored their veterans
with breakfast and music
by school’s band. The
Century choir sang the
“Star-Spangled Banner”
at the event.
The event had a few
World War II veterans
present, including
DeVries’ grandfather.
“He’s come to this every
year and he’s the most
patriotic person you’ll
ever meet,” DeVries said,
adding that her father and
father-in-law both served
in the Navy during the
Vietnam War. “This is so
important to us.”
John Bryk, interim superintendent
for D135,
has served the Illinois Air
National Guard for 36
years.
“I enjoyed my time and
still do,” Bryk explained.
“It’s important for me to
thank the veterans here for
paving the way for various
freedoms throughout
history. As long as we
keep doing that, and appreciate
their service and
sacrifice, and for students
of this district as well as
other students to realize
what men and women
have done to provide them
with opportunities, is a
great thing.”
Bryk attended the
majority of the veteran
events, and after he completed
his welcome to
everyone at the final one
of the month, State Sen.
Michael Hastings gave
thanks to those in attendance.
“I come from a military
family,” said Hastings,
who served in Iraq. “My
grandfather was a Special
Forces officer, My brother
and I went to West Point.
I’ve had the opportunity
to serve this great country
in time of war.
“I now serve in Springfield”
he laughs. I take
these experiences and
teach them to young people
to get them to serve.
Less than 1 percent of our
nation’s population serves
Earl Burke, of Frankfort, says the Pledge of Allegiance on Nov. 20, during Century Jr. High School’s veterans
breakfast. Photos by Mary Compton/22nd Century Media
Gene Murden and Linda have breakfast with their greatniece
Victoria Dresdan during the veterans breakfast.
in the military. We’re
begging for more and
more younger people to
get involved in service
to their country or service
to their community.
As a veteran, that’s our
moral obligation to give
back.”
Hallman said she plans
to continue this breakfast
for as long as she can.
“I started this program
when Kim DeVries was
Kim DeVries, a co-organizer of the Century veterans
breakfast, hugs her grandparents Carol and Stan
Utermark. Stan, 93, is a World War II veteran.
my student teacher,” said
Hallman, a sixth-grade
social studies teacher and
team leader. “My grandfather
was a World War
II veteran. ... Today is my
tribute to him.”