Braden River Middle School unveils 27th mosaic panel to honor veterans

EAST MANATEE -- Honor and privilege.

That was the phrase repeatedly mentioned by Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills on Monday when he spoke at the 14th annual Braden River Middle School ceremony for Veterans Day.

"It takes tremendous courage to serve your nation, to serve a post," Mills said. He served 24 years in the U.S. Army with a number of service assignments. He retired in July 2001 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

"It was amazing to me to see at this time last year how many of our schools take the time to honor our veterans," Mills said.

Mills talked about the harsh military lifestyle, asking veterans, active-duty service members and family members of veterans or active-duty service members to stand and be recognized.

When Mills asked family members of active-duty service members to stand and be recognized, Mike and Marilynn Polachek, along with 19-year-old Ashlee Paro, Marilynn's daughter, rose quietly to their feet. The family was there to watch Amberlee Paro, a student in the school's orchestra, perform during the ceremony.

But during the event, the family's thoughts were with 18-year-old Aaron Polachek, who just finished basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. His graduation ceremony will be in the first week of December, and in January, Aaron will go to airborne school and train to be a ranger. He graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School and was a four-year member of the JROTC while there.

"I'm very proud he wants to serve," his father said. "It's great to see him at a young age have a vision for his life."

Attending the ceremony and honoring the sacrifices others have made was important for the family, his mom said.

"It's what this country was founded on," Marilynn Polachek said.

Freedom is the most prized possession, said school Principal Randall Petrilla. Each year, the school unveils a new mosaic panel, designed and created by students, adorned with the names of local veterans. The panels make up the school's Veterans Wall of Honor. The tiles serve as a constant reminder of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms the students now enjoy, Petrilla said.

"We should never, ever take that for granted," he said.

The newest mosaic tile, the 27th in the school, features the back of a soldier, saluting an American flag. The names of veterans are emblazoned on the tile's border. In total, the 27 mosaic tiles include more than 700 veterans' names. This year's tile was designed by eighth-grade student Courtney Gape and created by eighth-graders in one of the school's art classes.

Courtney said it's important to honor veterans, including her uncle.

"It's not enough to express my gratitude," she said.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published November 10, 2014 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Braden River Middle School unveils 27th mosaic panel to honor veterans ."