Printer Friendly Version - Daughter Honoring Dad Puts Moving Mark on WIS Veterans Day Program

USMC First Sgt. Paul J. Hannaway and his daughter, Trinity. The Branford seventh-grader wrote a winning essay about her dad, which was shared as part of Veterans Day events which drew 24 veterans to share their stories with students at Walsh Intermediate School on Veterans Day.Photo Courtesy Walsh Intermediate School

At Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) on Veterans Day, a WIS student's winning essay honoring her dad put a moving mark on the day.

Trinity Hannaway, a seventh grade student at WIS, was the winner of a school-wide essay contest which drew 141 entrants, according to a press release issued from WIS.　On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11 the school had 24 veterans visit for a morning assembly.

Among them was Trinity's dad, First Sgt. Paul J. Hannaway of the United States Marines Corps (USMC). Hannaway was also grand marshal of Branford's Memorial Day Parade on May 30, 2016. Read more about his efforts to help Branford honor its military here

Most of the veterans stayed at the school throughout the morning, speaking to students about their life in each military branch, said WIS Principal Robin Goeler.　

"Every year on Veterans' Day my family, especially my father, hangs up an American flag. As I hang it up I think about the courageous men and women who risked, or even gave up their lives, all for one common reason, to defend our country. You, me and all of our fellow Americans may not even be here right now if it wasn't for their bravery.

Veterans deserve a great amount of respect and gratitude daily but November 11th is a very special day where we can think about their life saving actions. In my opinion, it's the day we honor the devoted, the selfless, and heroic Americans. Think about it...they are willing to leave home, friends and more importantly, family, to do this task. They risk physical discomfort and injury, quality of life, and the possibility of losing their life. Think about the time they spend away from family when training or deployed. The heartache they feel when they look into the eyes and tears of their loved ones knowing they may be gone for a long time, or maybe forever. Yet they go because they love America and what it stands for. As a military child, seeing my father leave because he had to deploy felt like someone ripped my heart out, but I knew that what he was doing was a show of respect for our country.

Let's take this day to honor all the men and women who served for the military. Let's take a moment of silence to think about those we have lost defending America, and our way of life. Before you go home today to go to your soccer practice, play video games, hang out with your friends and family, or go to bed, think about Veterans' Day because it's a very special and important day for Americans."