Maple Point Middle School (MPMS) held its 23rd Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 8. In attendance were close to 100 veterans, 8th grade Maple Point students, faculty, and community members who honored the service and sacrifice of local military veterans.
James Kelly, a Maple Point 8th grade social studies teacher, spoke about the importance of Veterans Day and its evolution from Armistice Day. “Veterans Day is a time to remember and to express our gratitude to those who stood willing to defend the freedoms that we all hold dear,” Kelly said. “Today, we gather to honor those who have served our nation with courage, dedication, and selflessness…You inspire us to be better citizens and live lives worthy of the freedoms that you defended.”
MPMS Principal Andy Sokol expressed his appreciation to the veterans during the ceremony. “Our hope today is that we learn from their examples and by the stories told by these brave individuals, and that their commitment to our country goes unmatched.” He emphasized how honoring these veterans has become a tradition of pride for the school with alumni and veterans returning year after year to participate.
Jason Bowman, Neshaminy School District Superintendent, described the significance of the day. “Veterans Day is not just a day of remembrance; it’s a day of gratitude,” he said. “To our students, this is a day to reflect on the courage, resilience, and selflessness of our veterans. Remember to carry that appreciation with you every day.”
US Representative Brian Fitzpatrick spoke about key moments in history that took place “right down the road in the city of Philadelphia where independence was born” and how the turning point of the Revolutionary War took place right in Bucks County. He praised the dedication of the military, saying, “It’s always been freedom that we’ve been fighting for, and it’s the men and women of our military who do the very hardest thing, run toward the danger to serve a cause that’s bigger than themselves.”
Representative Fitzpatrick also commended the school’s involvement in the “Tour of Honor” program, which escorts Bucks County veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials. “There’s one school every year that shows up, and it’s Maple Point,” he said. “You honor our veterans. You travel on the buses down to Washington D.C. You line the pathways of these memorials, and you applaud these veterans, and many of them are brought to tears because it’s so important for them to see that our youth respect them and care about them,” Representative Fitzpatrick presented a flag flown over the US Capitol in honor of the school.
State Senator Frank Farry, a Neshaminy High School alumnus, also took part in the ceremony, praising the sacrifices made by veterans. “There’s no greater sacrifice you can make than leaving your family to ensure we have the freedoms that we enjoy,” he said.
Joe Hogan, a PA State Representative, spoke emotionally about the lasting impact that veterans continue to have on their communities. Reflecting on his own father, a Marine Corps veteran, he shared that veterans “are still serving our community in so many ways, as teachers, coaches, scout leaders, and volunteers.” He encouraged students to express their gratitude for veterans, reminding them that the veteran community is always ready to serve again, whether in uniform or as ordinary citizens.
Keynote speaker Specialist Tom Peace, a veteran of the 1-111 Infantry, 56th Striker Brigade, began by reminiscing about his days attending Maple Point Middle School. “Eleven years ago, I was sitting just where you’re sitting right now, listening to this same assembly, thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
Specialist Peace who enlisted in the US Army shortly after graduating from Neshaminy High School, provided a personal account of his military service, sharing his experiences from his recent combat deployment to the Horn of Africa. “I’ve had family members in every major conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War,” Peace said. “Patriotism and service run through my bloodline, and I knew if I enlisted, I would carry on this sacred legacy.”
Specialist Peace reflected on the challenges he faced during his nine-month deployment including working in harsh conditions, enduring extreme heat, and adapting to a culture far different from his hometown of Bucks County. Despite the hardships, Peace found uplifting moments when caring for stray dogs and cats that roamed his base, which reminded him of home.
When he returned home, just a few days before this ceremony, he shared that his first stop “included an amazing meal from Chick-fil-A, which after nine months, I realized that luxury was taken for granted.” He added, “I’ve never been so happy to be back in the greatest country.”
In conclusion, he thanked his family, friends, and the community for their support, noting that the same friends he attended Maple Point with were the ones who kept in contact with him during his deployment.
Neil French, MPMS Assistant Principal, provided the closing remarks, expressing the community’s deep gratitude for the veterans in attendance. “We honor you for your courage, your honor, and your perseverance,” he said. “We challenge our students to embody the values you have demonstrated, commitment, selflessness, and unity, and to create a lasting legacy like the one you have set for us.”