Addison Trail and Willowbrook honor veterans in recognition of Veterans Day

Top left: Addison Trail parent Mike Green (left) presents Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden with challenge coins during Addison Trail's Veterans Day Luncheon on Nov. 9 to display at the school. Last year, Green presented Addison Trail and Willowbrook with relics from the USS Arizona (12-by-12-inch pieces of the deckhouse), a battleship that was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Green also gave the schools a copy of the book “All the Gallant Men” signed by co-author and USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, who is his stepfather. Top right: Veterans and Addison Trail students who plan to serve in the military pose by the school's USS Arizona display during the luncheon. Bottom: Veterans and Addison Trail students who plan to serve in the military view displays with photos and items of veterans with a connection to Addison Trail or the Village of Addison.

Top row, left and right: Willowbrook Social Worker Erik Engel (right) speaks with Willowbrook alumnus (class of 1989) and military veteran Nick Kozak during the school's Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 9. Bottom left: American flags line the entryway to Willowbrook in honor of Veterans Day. Bottom right: Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause greets the audience during the school's Veterans Day Assembly.

On Nov. 9, Addison Trail and Willowbrook welcomed veterans and first responders in honor of Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

At Willowbrook, an assembly took place to recognize Veterans Day, and military veterans and U.S. Army staff sergeants attended the event. During the assembly, Willowbrook alumnus (class of 1989) and military veteran Nick Kozak was the keynote speaker. Kozak was active duty in the U.S. Army and now serves in the Army National Guard Special Forces. He shared his journey of going from a student to an Eagle Scout to an Army paratrooper to an Army Guardsman to a police officer. A video highlighting Kozak’s training and travels – including his experiences jumping/parachuting – was shown, and he answered questions from students. American flags also lined the entryway to the school.

Addison Trail invited members of the Addison Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7446 and other veterans, as well as the Addison Police Department and the Addison Fire Protection District, to a luncheon. Participants watched a video and saw a display in the media center that featured photos and items of veterans with a connection to Addison Trail or the Village of Addison.

Both schools also recognized current students who plan to serve in the military.