During a heartfelt ceremony at Oakview Middle School, two Navy veterans, Deputy Robert Campbell and Mr. Stankquist, were honored for their service. The event, which has been a tradition at the school for approximately 20 years, emphasized gratitude for all veterans—past, present, and future.

The gathering was marked by a strong sense of community and appreciation, with attendees participating in the Pledge of Allegiance. The event's coordinator, Lori Peizer, who is also the school's band director, expressed her deep personal connection to veterans, sharing her family's military history, including her father, a Vietnam veteran, and her brother, who retired from the Air Force.

Peizer highlighted the school's recent donation of $700 to the Newberry Veterans Memorial Project, which aims to create a memorial honoring all branches of the military. This initiative is designed to serve as a place of reflection and education about military history for future generations. The donation was made possible through a fundraising effort involving the sale of T-shirts, with Peizer thanking the community for their support.

The ceremony underscored the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans and fostering a culture of remembrance and respect within the community.