Addison Trail hosts, participates in events to recognize Veterans Day

To view photo captions, click on the images above.

Each year, District 88 recognizes Veterans Day, which provides an opportunity to pause and reflect to honor and thank those who have served/plan to serve in the U.S. military.

Veterans Day honors the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day. District 88 remains open on this day to help ensure students learn about the significance of this event.

This year, Addison Trail hosted an all-school assembly, along with its annual luncheon. That event took place on Nov. 8 and was coordinated by the Addison Trail Veterans Support Organization (ATVSO). The featured speaker was Nick Morrison with the Wounded Warrior Project, who spoke about the challenges he faced after serving overseas and how he now focuses on being a mentor for others. To read more about Morrison, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=7526. The assembly also recognized local veterans, as well as students who plan to join the military and those who will enroll in the school’s new U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program during second semester. To view photos, see the images below.

“It’s a unique opportunity to be part of something like (the ATVSO) – not a lot of schools have something like this,” said Addison Trail senior Natalia Loncar, ATVSO President.

She added this year’s Veterans Day event had about 70 guests, and it continues to expand.

“It means so much that we’re able to host such a great event,” said Addison Trail senior Ava Ferri, ATVSO Vice President. “It’s a way to show respect and appreciation for the service of our veterans and to give back to the community.”

On Nov. 11, members of the Addison Trail Concert Choir performed during the Village of Addison’s Veterans Day Ceremony, and Loncar and Ferri spoke about the ATVSO. To watch the ceremony, click on the video above. To view a photo gallery, see the images below.

ABOUT THE ADDISON TRAIL VETERANS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (ATVSO)
The ATVSO coordinates the Flags for Addison project, where community members can make a $50 donation to have a flag placed in the yard of their business or home. Flags are placed from sunup to sundown on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Sept. 11 and Veterans Day.

The group helps with other initiatives and charity work as well, including assisting the Addison VFW Post 7446, being part of the Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab program, collecting food and hygiene items for active members of the military, and – of course – helping with Addison Trail’s Veterans Day event.

For questions or more information, contact Addison Trail social studies teacher and ATVSO adviser LeVonne Cescolini-Boyer at lcescolini@dupage88.net or 630-628-3347.