Boyertown Area Senior High continued its Veterans Day tradition with two special highlights this year.
On Friday, Nov. 11, veteran William G. Britton was presented his diploma by Assistant Principal Kelly Mason on behalf of Boyertown Area School District.
Britton joined the navy in 1944 to serve in WWII instead of finishing high school. He was a student at Boyertown until he went into service in tenth grade. The diploma he was received now certifies him as a graduated member of the class of 1944.
The presentation was added to the high school’s Veterans Day lunch, courtesy of Moyer’s Catering.
“We’ve been doing this for about 20 years, it kind of a tradition. Each year it gets bigger,” said Social Studies teacher Steven Bleiler. Bleiler helped to organize this year’s event with the help of his History Club students. “This is certainly the first year we had someone graduate like that.”
This year’s Veterans Day at BASH also included a push-up contest which raised $1,600. These funds will be used to build a Veterans Wall of Honor at the school.
“It’s going to be a long term project.” Bleiler estimates three to five years for the wall to be completed. “That’s our seed money for it, basically.”
The wall will feature veterans from WWI through present-day and will feature individuals who have graduated from or worked within the district.
“It’s going to take a long time, but that’s our goal.” He explained how the wall will be built in stages. “That’s the game plan. Once it’s tangible, it will be easy to see.”
The Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11 was held within the library and was attended by 70 veterans. The high school choir, directed by Jeffrey Brunner, performed several selections including the National Anthem.
