Greetings, CUB Families --
Tomorrow, November 11th, we honor U.S. Military Veterans. It’s the time of year that we lean-in to character traits like kindness, generosity, and service to others. It’s a time when we encourage students to think about ways to make meaningful contributions for things greater than themselves (e.g. community service, school-wide service projects, volunteerism, etc.).
Last Friday 11/6, our Student Leadership Team conducted a school-wide Veterans Day Assembly in our CK Performing Arts Center (PAC). We met our guest speaker, Captain Michael A. Woehrman -- a senior U.S. Navy officer who has served as the Commanding Officer of the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC). Captain Woehrman spoke about his pathway into the Department of Defense and his career-service to the United States. Our students learned about the importance of honoring our U.S. Military Veterans through our own words and actions.
At our Veterans Day Assembly, I remind students and staff that less than one-percent (1%) of the citizens of the United States actually volunteer to enlist and serve active-duty military. According to the OSPI School Report Card data, 24.2% of our students have a military parent. However, nearly 50% of our students are connected to the military or work as civilian defense contractors at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF). This makes our Central Kitsap Middle School community even more special and unique.
I am a military kid and I'm an Indigenous Pacific Islander from Guam (CHamoru). During WWII, my mother’s family were forced into labor camps while my father’s family hid deep in the jungle away from the soldiers who had occupied their island. My father received his first pair of shoes from a U.S. Marine who landed on the shores of Guam as part of a mission to liberate and free our People. For this reason alone, my father enlisted in the United States Navy, served for over 22 years and retired as a Chief Gunner’s Mate. Our family moved around while my father was sent out for 9-12 month deployments in the days when there was no internet. All communication with him was via hand-written letters. I am grateful for his service and for all who have ever served and/or sacrificed for our country.
We understand the strength it takes when a parent is deployed, the sacrifice of moving to a new community, and the quiet courage required every single day. We honor the service members who wear the uniform and we honor the resilience, heart, and character of the families who support them right here in our school. To ALL who have served and who continue to serve our country, please accept our deepest gratitude.
Warmest regards & with oodles of Aloha,
Thomasina Rogers
Military Families - RESOURCES
