Veterans in the Classroom Appreciation Luncheon

One of the special programs we have in Citrus County Schools is our Veterans in the Classroom. This program is 29 years old and has impacted nearly 100,000 students during that time. The program brings U.S. States former Military Servicemen and women to speak to students in our school’s classrooms. This is one of the largest programs like it (per capita) in the nation.

This year over 4,000 students in all our elementary, middle, and high schools had one of the 53 Veterans from the program speak to the students about their military service. They share about the work they did in the military, how it helped contribute to becoming the person they are, and the love of our great country. The students of all ages are so fascinated by the stories and information these amazing Veterans talk about.

During today’s Appreciation luncheon hosted by the Citrus County School District, the Veterans receive a lunch prepared by the Withlacoochee Technical College Culinary students, the Citrus High School (CHS) AJROTC Honor Guard presented “The Colors”, and the CHS Chorale and students from Pleasant Grove Elementary provided some wonderful entertainment. One of the most moving parts of the Appreciation event is one by one they go around the room and give each attending Veteran the opportunity to introduce themselves, tell about their military service and their experience teaching in the Veterans in the Classroom program. It is so moving. The message each of these men and women share about their life often bonds them as brothers and sisters in arms. It is also evident the love these men and women have for our country, the VIC program, and our students. Col. Curt Ebitz, U.S. Army (Retired) and Adjutant Officer and Historian for the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart shared that he has been doing this since the beginning of the program (29 years).

God Bless each and every Veteran that gives of themselves to this great program. Thank you to Al Balk, District Instructional Specialist for Social Studies K-12 who coordinates the Veterans in the Classroom with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

If you are a Veteran interested in becoming a participant in the next Veterans in the Classroom program, please contact Mr. Balk at 352-726-1931 ext. 2490 or balka@citrusschools.org or contact Citrus County MOAA – https://moaafl.org/chapters/citruscounty/.

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