A TIME TO PAY RESPECT

When Brandon Noble went to Owatonna Middle School (OMS), the small gym in which students gathered on Veterans Day last week was the only gym.

Noble, a 2005 Owatonna High grad, now works as an OHS educational assistant. But his keynote speech was more about his five years of military service. His grandfather and father both served in the Armed Forces as well, he said.

Asking students to think about what makes a hero, Noble said he was always a fan of Batman, the millionaire-turned-caped-crusader who guards Gotham City in the DC comic book series.

“I liked that he had no superpowers,” Noble said.

He also cited a quote by Maya Angelou: “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people,” adding that makes veterans “real life heroes.”  

“For every veteran here,” Noble said, “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a hero. You did what most can’t or simply won’t.”

He also encouraged the students to be the hero who makes the world a better place by picking up trash, sitting with a kid who’s alone at lunch, or telling someone you love them.

“Every positive thing you do in the world makes a difference,” he said. “Be a hero, guys.”

The Nov. 11 event, a tradition at the school since 1993, also featured essays by sixth grade students with the theme, “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”  

Emma Hess vowed to remember each veteran and the sacrifices they made and pray for them every day. “They have given so much to help people they don’t even know, which we all should be grateful for.”

Addyson Willaert talked about family members who served, including her grandfather, an aunt and uncle, and great-uncle. She said her great-uncle is often thanked for his service when he wears a hat 

“My pledge to our veterans is to make sure they are all acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to this country,” she said.

The event was a first for OMS assistant principal Katie Lenz, who joined the district this year. She looks forward to seeing how students respond in the coming weeks to what they learned, particularly in Noble’s presentation.

“It’s going to be interesting to see their reactions, especially to one of the things he talked about,” she said. “How many heroes are we going to see today?”

Noble said he agreed to speak at the event because he feels it’s important for the message to come from “someone who knows how to speak to kids.”

“I think it’s important to help them understand what Veterans Day is and why it’s important to celebrate it in our country.”