Students and Patriots Honor Local Veterans at Legacy Christian Academy

A moving Veterans Appreciation Breakfast brought generations together on November 10, 2025, as the Legacy Christian Academy hosted a heartfelt tribute to honor those who served. With 130 guests in attendance and 31 veterans recognized, the morning ceremony celebrated military service through music, remembrance, and gratitude.

Photo of the color guard presenting colors at Legacy Christian Academy, l. to r. Allan Phillips, Richard Tyler, Ken Bonnell, and Bryan Buck. (Photos courtesy of Thomas “Chip” Daniel.)

The event began with a formal presentation of the colors by the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), who marked the start of the school’s Veterans Day observance. The SAR Color Guard, dressed in period attire, solemnly carried the American flag as Legacy’s second-grade students led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem.

SAR participants at Legacy Christian Academy, l. to r. Allan Phillips, Chip Daniel, Ken Bonnell, Bryan Buck, Dale Corey, Richard Tyler, and Charles Hunter.

The Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, sponsored by the Academy, welcomed family members of students who had served in the military. Tables were filled with young children, proud parents, and grandparents—many of whom were honored for their time in uniform.

After breakfast, a special tribute was held, focusing on the “Missing Man Table,” a symbolic setting that honors fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members. The presentation was led by retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Edythe McGoff, who explained the powerful meaning behind each item on the table. The room fell silent as she paid tribute to those who never returned home.

Following the tribute, the second-grade students took the stage again, performing patriotic songs and reciting the poem Our Country’s Flag. Their voices carried the spirit of appreciation, drawing smiles and even a few tears from the veterans in the audience.

One of the most touching moments came when each veteran was asked to stand and was presented with a “mail call”—a packet of letters and notes prepared in their honor. It was a simple but powerful reminder of how much their service is remembered and appreciated.

Maj. David Jones, USA (Ret.), who now teaches history at the Academy, shared stories from his military career, describing not only the hardships but the deep bonds of brotherhood and sacrifice that define military service. His message was clear: honoring veterans isn’t a one-day event, but a lifelong responsibility.

In a tribute to the armed forces, the second-grade class led the audience in singing the official songs of each branch of the military. As each song played—“The Army Goes Rolling Along,” “Anchors Aweigh,” “The Marines’ Hymn,” “The U.S. Air Force,” “Semper Paratus,” and the recently adopted “Semper Supra” for the Space Force—veterans stood proudly to represent their branch.

To conclude the ceremony, Lt. Col. McGoff and her husband, retired Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class George Donovan, presented each veteran with a challenge coin—a token of recognition for their service. With a final salute and prayer, the couple paid tribute to the sacrifice and legacy of every service member present.

The event closed with “Taps,” performed by SAR compatriot Charles Hunter, as the room stood in solemn silence. The mournful notes echoed with respect and remembrance.

Members of the Col. James Wood II Chapter participating in the ceremony included Ken Bonnell, Bryan Buck, Dale Corey, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Charles Hunter, Allan Phillips, and Richard Tyler—all certified in Youth Protection Training. Their presence and participation helped connect the historical roots of American independence with today’s continuing legacy of service.

SAR participants at Mt Hebron Cemetery, l. to r. Ken Bonnell, Bryan Buck, Chip Daniel, Dale Corey, and Allan Phillips.

Later that day, the chapter’s color guardsmen continued their mission of remembrance with a flag-placing ceremony at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester. Braving cold and windy conditions, the group placed 310 flags on the graves of veterans, including Betsy Ross flags for Revolutionary War patriots and 50-star flags for veterans of later conflicts.

Chapter members Ken Bonnell, Bryan Buck, Dale Corey, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, and Allan Phillips carefully and respectfully placed each flag. The cemetery ceremony served as a poignant visual reminder that the cost of freedom spans generations, and that the community’s commitment to honoring veterans endures beyond any single day.

Veterans Day Ceremony at Mt. Hebron Cemetery Honors Generations of Service