Honoring veterans has special meaning at Leeds Middle School (LMS). Celebrating those closest to them, students at LMS introduced veterans in their family to their fellow classmates at the school’s annual Veterans Day Program.

Coach Mark Glenn paid a special tribute to his father who recently passed away. LMS student Andrew Dutton presented a picture of Glenn’s dad, Marlon Ray Glenn, Staff Sergeant in the US Airforce from 1969-1973.

“Andrew did a great job,” Glenn said. “I’m glad we had the opportunity to honor him in this way.”

Saluting soldiers John O’Malley, the 2015 Alabama Marine Corps League Marine of the Year and a member of the Birmingham Marine Corps League, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. O’Malley said veterans come in all shapes and sizes, they’re men and women and are young and old, but the most important thing is that each one put time in the service never knowing if they’d be called upon going in harm’s way. Discussing the significance of Leeds having three Medal of Honor recipients and the reason it’s known as The City of Valor, O’Malley talked about Staff Sergeant Henry “Red” Erwin. “Red’s job was to drop the flare out of a B29 scout plane. Their job was to circle around the target. When he dropped the flare down the tube, for a reason that is still undetected to this day, the flare came back up the tube and into the B29 catching Red on fire.

This flare is hotter than the flames of the sun,” O’Malley said. “He passed out several times, but made his way down to an opening where he was able to release the flare out of the plane. He passed out again and the flames burning him had to be done away with a fire extinguisher. They didn’t think he was going to make it and landed on Iwo Jima then flew Red to Guam. Although badly burned he lived! Red came home to work at the VA Medical Center where he dedicated his life to other veterans and people in need.”

Encouraging the students of LMS to live their purpose and stay dedicated and strong O’Malley said there are four things they need to do: “Never give in, don’t give excuses, find a way and don’t give up.”

Before the LMS Band played “America the Beautiful” to conclude this year’s annual Veterans Day Program, O’Malley said, “There’s no greater love than serving for you.”

Next time you see a veteran not only on Veterans Day, but everyday let them know how much their sacrifice means to you. We value and thank you for your service.