Honoring Our Veterans: A Day of Pride at the Inverness Veterans Day Parade

This morning, I had the distinct honor of once again joining the annual Veterans Day Parade in Inverness, walking alongside my fellow school board members, Superintendent of Schools Sandra “Sam” Himmel, Superintendent-Elect Dr. Scott Hebert, and CCSB Chief of Police and Sheriff-Elect David Vincent to honor our country’s veterans. We were joined by an impressive turnout, including students from Pleasant Grove Elementary, Inverness Elementary, and participants from all our JROTC units and bands representing our middle and high schools. This Veterans Day Parade is among the largest in the Eastern United States, and it fills us with pride to see so many of our students actively participate in this remarkable event.

Typically, Veterans Day is a school holiday. However, due to the devastating impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the day was designated as a school make-up day. Superintendent Himmel made the decision to hold school, allowing students from Inverness and nearby schools the opportunity to attend the parade and directly support our incredible veterans. This special arrangement meant that many students, who might not otherwise have had the chance, could experience the parade and witness the powerful display of unity and respect for those who have served our country.

In the weeks leading up to Veterans Day, these students had already experienced something special through the Citrus County Schools’ “Veterans in the Classroom” (VIC) program. This initiative brings former military servicemen and women to schools, allowing them to share personal stories and experiences with students. Now in its 30th year, the program has reached over 100,000 students, with approximately 5,000 students annually hearing from veterans across our elementary, middle, and high schools. More than 50 veterans visited classrooms this year, recounting tales of service and sacrifice, which gave students a chance to connect on a personal level with the legacy of military service.

The VIC program is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, and the impact on our students has been monumental. Listening to these firsthand accounts has instilled in students an appreciation for the values of courage, resilience, and patriotism, shaping their understanding of the vital role veterans have played in our nation’s history and continue to play today.

As a district, Citrus County Schools takes American patriotism to heart. We are the nation’s first “Purple Heart School District,” with all our schools proudly designated as “Florida Purple Star Schools.” These honors reflect our commitment to recognizing the sacrifices made by our veterans and supporting our military families. Through events like today’s parade and initiatives like “Veterans in the Classroom,” we ensure that our students not only learn about civic duty but also feel a profound respect for the freedoms they enjoy.

By blending education with heartfelt gratitude for our military personnel, we are instilling a legacy of respect and civic responsibility in the next generation. Today’s parade was more than a tradition—it was an opportunity for our community to unite, honor our veterans, and pass on a legacy of patriotism that our students will carry forward as proud citizens of the United States.

God bless America!

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