This morning around 11:30, almost every hand was raised in the Chapel. Why?

Amrita J. '21 had just asked those gathered at Middle School chapel to raise their hands if they, a family member, a loved one, or a friend served or is serving in a branch of the United States military. This simple yet powerful visual reminded everyone present of the prevalence of veterans in our lives.

OES Director of Community Partnerships Dori King also took the time to speak to the Middle School community, sharing the tale of Hazel Johnson-Brown. Johnson-Brown was a woman who became the first black female general in the U.S. Army. Stories like these, explained Dori, are hidden stories in history. "How," Dori asked the students and faculty, "do we find more of those hidden stories?'

Woven throughout the chapel were the sounds of vocal and instrumental groups offering gifts of music. The sixth grade choir sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" (video above), the seventh grade Instrumental Ensemble played "America, Land of Liberty (which is an arrangement of My Country 'Tis of Thee)," and our eighth grade Instrumental Ensemble performed "Brother James' Air." The service ended with the seventh grade vocal ensemble singing "America the Beautiful."

Thank you to all in our Aardvark community who served in the armed forces!