By: Leila Evans, Cali McPeak, & Izzy Goodnite
Memorial Day is dedicated to the honorable soldiers who died for our country. This American holiday originated after the American Civil War, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Local communities began holding springtime tributes to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. Memorial Day was originally going to be called “Decoration Day” because you would decorate the soldiers’ graves with flowers, flags, and wreaths. Before Memorial Day, Southeast hosted the Rolling Thunder, which is a group of veterans from the Vietnam War who travel to schools talking about their experiences overseas.
Their visit gave students a chance to hear firsthand accounts of service, sacrifice, and brotherhood that can’t be found in any normal textbook. The veterans shared stories about what it was like to be young and far from home, and how they leaned on their fellow soldiers through difficult times. Many students were struck by how open and honest these brave men were, even about the hard parts of coming home. The group reminded us that freedom isn’t free and that respect for those who served matters every day, not just on holidays. Teachers noticed students asking deeper questions about history and citizenship after the visit. Rolling Thunder’s presence left a lasting impact because they connected the past to our present in a real, human way. Southeast was honored to host them, and their message of unity, remembrance, and patriotism is one we won’t forget. Their visit showed that an uplifting school environment includes honoring the people who gave so much for us.
During their visit, several Rolling Thunder veterans stayed to have lunch with students in the library, turning a normal lunch period into something unforgettable. The veterans shared parts of foreign culture they experienced, from the people to the cuisine. A heartbreaking moment from the lunch was hearing how our veterans were labeled “baby killers”. This propaganda shamed American soldiers, even though they shared that they had always tried to do the morally right thing in a time of war. From moments of fear and courage in Vietnam to the lifelong friendships they built during service. That lunch didn’t just fill stomachs; it filled students with perspective, gratitude, and a deeper connection to the men who served.
We would like to give a big thanks to Dan McGuiness, the head of Rolling Thunder, for putting this honor together for our students at Southeast High School. “We might not be as capable as we once were, but if we went back to war, we would serve again, doing anything possible” (McGuiness).
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