Articles by the Superintendent

Veterans are Role Models for Our Kids

Dr. Mike Ewton
November 1, 2025

Last month, my wife and I were honored to attend an awards banquet at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in Chattanooga. The celebration was in honor of an outstanding group of educators from around the region who were completing a year-long education fellowship at the Center. Northwest High School history teacher David Veve received the inaugural General B.B. Bell Teacher Fellowship Award for his exemplary work and leadership as a fellow in the program. General Bell, whom we had the pleasure of sitting and talking with at dinner, demonstrated both gratitude and humility as he seemed equally surprised and honored by the inaugural award being named for him and his contributions to the Center's programs. The inscription on the prize, “Lead From the Front,” is one of the leadership tenets from General Bell’s book, Memoirs of a Non-Descript 4-Star General: A Love Story. Sitting in the museum's main gallery, surrounded by stories and artifacts of our nation's most heroic figures, was awe-inspiring. Though I could have focused solely on the military significance of the Medal of Honor recipients' actions, the Heritage Center goes above and beyond. It uses these astounding stories of heroism to teach applicable lessons to everyone, regardless of their military background or interests.

The mission of the Center is to educate the next generation of Americans about the six character traits associated with the gallantry of Medal of Honor Recipients. These traits concisely define why patriotism, citizenship, courage, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment are essential to the continued prosperity of a free society. Patriotism is defined as devoting our loyalty and love to our country, which includes working to make it better. Citizenship means actively participating in democracy and in our community. Courage is persevering in worthy endeavors despite fear. Integrity involves being honest, keeping our word, and doing what is right, even when no one is watching. Sacrifice means giving of ourselves in the service of others. Finally, commitment is defined as devoting time, energy, or resources to causes in which we believe. The educators at the Center are clear that their purpose is not necessarily to inspire the next generation of warriors. Instead, they provide age-appropriate programs designed to help future generations keep our country and communities strong.

The timing of this unique experience, which closely coincides with our annual celebration of Veterans Day, prompted me to reflect. Every year, our schools do a fantastic job of designing lessons and hosting special events to celebrate all our military veterans and the service and sacrifice they made for our country. Our schools host receptions, luncheons, and presentations to honor our veterans and showcase living examples of those who have selflessly served so we can enjoy the benefits of a free society. Through these lessons and encounters, our students learn the importance of the character traits emphasized by the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. They discover that every man or woman who puts on the uniform and swears an oath to defend the Constitution is committed to doing whatever it takes, including giving up their own lives, to protect our country. Similar to the Heritage Center, our purpose is not to recruit the next generation of soldiers, although we host ceremonies every year to celebrate those who do choose to enlist. Our purpose is to ensure our students grow up with a sense of purpose and understanding that freedom is not free. Many have sacrificed for us, and we owe it to them to make the most of our own lives and better the lives of those in our country and community. 

Wherever their journeys may lead, the future of our country will depend on today’s students understanding, valuing, and demonstrating patriotism, citizenship, courage, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment.  We should all be grateful to those who serve and have served in the military, and for the example they set for our kids.