Navy veteran Jerry Woodbeck converses to a group of SJLA students during the event on Nov. 4. Valley News/Courtesy photo
SAN JACINTO – San Jacinto Leadership Academy (SJLA) cadets recently connected literature to real-life service through the inaugural Veterans Voices: A Legacy of Service event held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, honoring 30 local veterans.The event, coordinated by teacher Cheri Veilleux-Fenske, served as a culminating experience for her 11th-grade students who had just completed reading The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, a novel exploring the emotional burdens and personal stories of soldiers during the Vietnam War.The day began with Reveille, where veterans joined SJLA cadets for the morning ceremony, followed by introductions and small group interviews. During the interviews, students had the opportunity to listen to veterans’ personal stories of service, sacrifice and resilience.
