BROOKHILL
By Lori Thomason

The US Navy Sea Cadet Corps perform throughout the Veterans Day ceremony, held Friday at Bullard High School.

Newly re-elected Congressman Louie Gohmert didn't rest much last week. Following a late night watching election results, the District 1 representative took time to speak to Brook Hill students and community members about veterans, service and the "greatest generation."

As Gohmert introduced, he demurred from the cheering crowd.

"It needs to be me clapping for you," he said. "It's all of you who allow me to serve."

But more importantly, he said, the veterans' stories must be passed on to a new generation, commending Dement for making that happen.

"In World War I, we were pulled in by evil. In World War II, we were pulled in reluctantly, and with every battle since, America has helped ensure evil cannot prevail," he said. from John 15:13: "Greater love than this no one has, than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

The ceremony, held Wednesday, had a unique twist: Instead of just recognition, an idea spawned by school founder Steve Dement gave many attending veterans something long overdue: medals from their service in World War II.

Dement, in addition to his growing title company business, also teaches history at the school.

And while every year, the school observes Veterans Day, Dement wanted to do something different.

"Because of the significance of World War II and the diminishing number of veterans of the war, we are trying to help our students with a unique opportunity," Dement said.

Every year, students in Brook Hill's senior American History class are assigned an interview with a World War II veteran and writing a paper on their experiences.

Coined as the "Greatest Generation," Dement said many don't realize most who served in the war never received their medals.

"They only received the ribbon bars because brass had been restricted for munitions and many of the medals had yet to be struck or approved," Dement said. "We looked for relatives or close family friends who served in World War II," he said, "mainly because that generation is quickly leaving us.

"We want our students to know the sacrifices these soldiers made to preserve the liberties and freedoms we enjoy today."

And the veterans were grateful.

80-year-old James Humphries served in the U.S. Navy for two years and received four medals for his service at the event, something he never expected.

"I didn't think I would ever get them," he said. "Now, I will cherish these and they will be a part of our family from now on."

Gohmert said we owe a debt we'll never repay to them.

"The Declaration of Independence gave us life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but I'm proud to stand here today with those who defended those rights for all of us."

The event was attended by active servicemen from each branch of service and concluded with an artillery salute by The Brook Hill Guard.