Downers Grove North Honors Veterans During Annual Assembly

Downers Grove North High School honored more than 80 veterans and dozens of family members of United States service men and women at its annual Veterans Day assembly Friday.

During the program, students, faculty and guests heard from two local veterans, and paid tribute to those from Downers Grove who lost their lives during war.

Among the guest speakers was Marine Sgt. Max Gilbert, a 2006 graduate of North High. He enlisted in the service in 2007, not long after his cousin, 24-year-old Marine Sgt. Thomas Gilbert, was killed while serving in Iraq.

Max Gilbert shared his experiences in the Marines during the assembly.

"My service in the Marine Corps taught me to see myself in a broader sense," Gilbert said. "I learned that who I am and what I offer has big toll on those around me. These experiences have afforded me a new perspective on how I can positively influence others."

Gilbert was honorably discharged from the Marines in June after serving two tours of duty—one on the U.S.S. Rushmore, and the other in Afghanistan. He currently volunteers as a football coach at Downers Grove North, and studies physical education at the College of DuPage.

Offering his thoughts on Veterans Day, Gilbert told audience members they should remember to celebrate the sacrifices made by the nation's service men and women.

"I believe many people think (of Veterans Day) as a day of sadness," Gilbert said. "Veterans Day is not just a day of mourning, but a day to celebrate. (We should) celebrate those who didn't come back, and celebrate those who live on carrying their memories. This day is meant to celebrate the sacrifice, fortitude and achievements of all those who have served."

Gilbert said his memories of playing football at North High remind him of his experiences as a Marine—being part of a team and working together toward a common goal.

"We are all a part of something so much bigger than ourselves," he said.

The other speaker Friday was Marine Sgt. Major Anthony Carter, who enlisted in January 1980. He served on several Western Pacific deployments, beginning in April 1985, and was eventually deployed to southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

In April 2004, Carter, an expert in avionics, was deployed with the battalion for combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. His personal service awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and achievement medals with four gold stars.

Carter told the audience they have an "obligation" to embrace the future and pursue the dreams. It's the only way to properly honor those who fight for freedom, he said.

"The difference between the haves and the have-nots, the free and the not free, is the men and women who choose to make that commitment (to the military)—who choose to make the ultimate sacrifice," Carter said.

On Friday, Carter said his only hope for Veterans Day is that people stop to think about the freedoms the enjoy, and how lucky the United States is compared to other countries.

"I am blessed every day to open my eyes in a country that is free," he said.

At the close of the assembly, Downers Grove North Principal Scott Kasik urged students to discuss what they learned about Veterans Day, and offered one last tribute to service men and women.

"It is the hope that the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, who bravely serve our country, will lead us to world where people can live in harmony," Kasik said.

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