Veterans get their day at Rowlett Academy in Bradenton with song, dance, parade
MANATEE -- As an Air Force engineer during the Gulf War, Jason Grayson didn't fit the typical definition people think of when they hear of military career, but he's still taught his 11-year-old son, Jack Grayson, about respect, duty and honor.
"He taught me there are many ways you can serve your country," Jack Grayson, a fifth-grade student at Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication said Friday during the school's annual Veterans Day celebration.
The celebration featured the boy's choir, the JROTC students from Southeast High School, a teacher choir, violin selections and special speakers and was kicked off with a parade of veterans around the school courtyard.
Students held hands of moms, dads, grandparents, uncles and other family members for the two-lap trip around the courtyard, as music played and the drumline performed. County Commissioner Larry Bustle, a Purple Heart recipient who flew 130 combat missions in the F-4D Phantom II aircraft during the Vietnam War, joined the parade.
Bustle was joined by County Commissioner Besty Benac and school board members Bob Gause, Karen Carpenter and Charlie Kennedy. Manatee County School Board Superintendent Diana Greene also attended.
The event featured two speakers in addition to the song and dance that Rowlett is known for.
Jack Grayson's speech wasn't a total surprise for dad Jason, Jason said. He knew his son was speaking but wasn't sure what his son would say. He and his wife, Jack's mother, Susan, watched from behind a set of bleachers.
"I was a little emotional and then I was proud," Jason said.
Keeping with a family feel on Friday, Lt. Commander Michael Forson thanked his family, especially his wife Angela, for holding down the fort while he served multiple deployments as a member of the reserves.
While introducing Forson, second-grade teacher Meg Carlson, said members of the guard and the reserve seem to lead "secret double lives." Forson has worked a 25-year career as a banker in town but leaves to serve the country whenever duty calls, like like the other members of the reserves.
"They work two jobs for you, to keep you safe and to keep you free," Carlson said.
Forson said he knew it would sound cliche but he chose to serve because he believes America is the greatest country in the world.
"Even on our worst days, we enjoy a freedom and way of life that's far superior than other places in the world," Forson said.
Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.
This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Veterans get their day at Rowlett Academy in Bradenton with song, dance, parade ."