Cranberry High School Celebrates Veterans Day 

On November 7, 2024, Cranberry students welcomed local veterans to the high school at the Annual Veterans Day Program.

As veterans entered the building, they were greeted by students and were given gifts in appreciation for their service. 

After entering, veterans viewed the Wall of Honor created and organized by the National Honor Society in reverence for those who are serving or who have served in the military from the local community. 

To start the program, the Honor Guard brought in the colors which was followed by the high school band who played the National Anthem as everyone stood respectfully. 

Throughout the program, the senior high choir performed the Armed Forces cadences while veterans stood to be recognized for each branch as well as played other selections for the enjoyment of the veterans in attendance. 

Julie Crate, high school reading teacher and Air Force Veteran, was the program’s keynote speaker. 

Crate shared her story of being in the Air Force, from her experience in basic training and being trained as a Military Security Police Officer to protecting military families, F-16 fighter jets, and several refueling planes while stationed at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. 

“By honoring our veterans today, we also honor the veterans yet to come,” Crate said. “For generations, our brave American soldiers have fought and died for our freedom, freedom we often take for granted. Therefore, this Veterans Day let us not forget those who served and are serving — in times of peace and in times of war — and those who are gone and those who are still with us. Honor a veteran today.”

In addition to the keynote speaker, Sara Schoch, a senior at Cranberry High School, spoke to the audience about why she enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in Pittsburgh after graduation.

At the conclusion of the program, a luncheon, sponsored by the Metz Cafeteria service, was provided for veterans and their families.

Also helping with the assembly, Cranberry’s Family Consumer Science class made desserts, art classes created decorations and helped hang up the Wall of Honor, 8th and 10th grade students read poetry, and the Journalism class live-streamed the event and held interviews with some of the local veterans who attended the program.