Bay View High School marks Veterans Day and noted alumni
Students and staff at Bay View High School gathered in the gym on November 9, 2018, to remember and honor Veterans Day, especially the school’s own alumni who took part in military service. The event was attended by Mayor Tom Barrett, Carol Voss of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, and members of the Milwaukee Fire Department. This year is the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day.
Students sang the national anthem, heard remarks from guests, recognized alumni, listened to the story of Lance P. Sijan and watched an excerpt of a documentary about his ordeal, and honored veterans of all wars. Sijan’s football jersey was also retired during the ceremony, marking the 50th anniversary of his death.
Lance P. Sijan was a U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot whose plane was damaged during the Viet Nam War; Sijan was forced to eject and then survived 46 days in the jungle despite extensive injuries. He was captured and tortured by the North Vietnamese but refused to divulge information to his captors. Sijan was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor upon the recommendation of his cell mates who cared for him during his captivity. The Air Force chose to name a leadership award in his honor, which is known as the Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award.
The day’s ceremony left students with a sense of patriotism and reverence for the sacrifices of U.S. military men and women.
Happy Veterans Day to veterans everywhere, and thank you for your service!
Students and staff at Bay View High School gathered in the gym on November 9, 2018, to remember and honor Veterans Day, especially the school’s own alumni who took part in military service. The event was attended by Mayor Tom Barrett, Carol Voss of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, and members of the Milwaukee Fire Department. This year is the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day.
