GERSTELL ACADEMY
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE
Veterans’ Day: A Look Into the Annual Celebration of Our Nation’s Heroes
On November 11th, 2025, Gerstell Academy hosted its annual Veterans’ Day Assembly. As is Gerstell tradition, the eighth grade led the assembly, and they did so eloquently. This honored tradition began within the Middle School in 2007 and has since become a hallmark of November in the community.
The day’s events opened with student ambassadors welcoming the veterans onto campus. This was when I was able to speak with Navy veteran, Charles Adams. Adams commented on his gratitude stating, “A lot of people don’t know how good we have it here in the United States…It really opens your eyes up when you go see other parts of the world.” (Charles Adams Navy BM3 1964-1968). Following introductions and refreshments, the veterans and students alike were ushered outside to view the flag raising. We gathered as the Upper School Choir sang the National Anthem while the flag waved gallantly in the clear November sky. Once the crowd had settled, the assembly began with a poem written by Susan B. Smith entitled "We Honor You Today”. This poem, in conjunction with a performance of “Thank You Soldiers” by the Middle School Chorus opened the assembly in a most impactful way.
After hearing the impactful stories of Chris Gordan and Julia Potter Parsons, the audience was graced with a presentation of the setting of the Fallen Man Table, by Alumnus Brett McLaughlin ‘14, Captain, US Army. This tradition was described as “a solemn yet welcome tribute” by eighth grade presenter Sofia Vasileva (2030). This display stuck with many of my peers and I as an incredibly graceful way to depict grief. As we watched the table setting, everyone in the room felt the weight of our country’s losses and an increased gratitude for the sacrifices of the men and women who served.
The presenters then shared the Gerstell Academy Alumni who had joined the service after graduation. Subsequentially, the veterans in the audience introduced themselves and answered questions from Lower School students. In the crowd there were veterans who had fought in World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and a Gerstell Alumnus still in the United State Merchant Marine Academy. Among them were several members of the inner Gerstell community including faculty, parents, and grandparents. Leadership professor Daniel Gellasch (Commander 05 U.S. Coast Guard) expressed, “It’s nice to see how much of the community turned up”. As a student and daughter of two veterans myself, I was proud to see both my professors and my mother in the audience that day. It was lovely to see people come together to honor such a hardworking and resilient group of people.
Not long after introductions and questions, the Veteran of the Year was announced. This year, the prestigious award went to Todd Lutton who had served and retired from the U.S. Navy. Lutton’s accomplishments and dedication made him an exceptional and worthy recipient. With the announcement of this year’s winner, Mrs. Cornelia Brown presented the current winner and his predecessors with handmade quilts handmade and shared by Quilts of Valor. The quilts were a gorgeous token of gratitude and an aspect of the assembly which I hope continues in years to come.
The Veterans Day Assembly is a demonstration of the power of unity in our community. Students, faculty, family, and administration came together to honor the most authentic representatives of our leadership model. Furthermore, the eighth grade impressed everyone in the crowd that day with their professionalism and articulation. Presenter Olivia T. (2030) noted, “I was very proud that I got the opportunity to honor these veterans, and it felt like the right thing to do”. This day stands as a reminder of the strength of our country and the safety that many of us take for granted. This tradition continues to encourage students to be persistent, determined, and diligent like the members of the community who risked their lives to protect them.
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
