Louis Carillo, Jr. and family
The Mountain Home High School veterans program, “Freedom is not Free”, held in the Bomber Gymnasium Friday, had a large turnout with over 60 veterans present. Part of the program is aimed toward teaching high school students the sacrifices American veterans have made for this country.Event Coordinator and Mountain Home High School Teacher Bud Zorman addressed students during the ceremony with hopes they may better understand those sacrifices and take away a stronger sense of patriotism. He encouraged everyone to take the time to shake a veteran’s hand, when out and about in the community, and thank them for their service.
Korean War Marine veteran Richard Scholtz was selected as the special veteran guest and was presented the Quilt of Valor and an American flag. An Honorary Mountain Home High School diploma, reserved for those unable to complete their high school education due to service obligations, was given to Louis Carillo Jr., who was surrounded by family as he was presented the honorary certificate. After the event, as Carillo was shaking hands with students and lining up for pictures, he said joyfully “this has been a long time coming!”
Scholtz, with a wide grin, said he was proud to participate.
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Lieutenant Colonel Gary, Smith United States Marine Corps (Ret.), was the guest speaker. He highlighted parts of his career and talked about the sacrifices military families make. He told students “you won’t get rich” serving in the military, but the skills and lessons learned through the experience have value. Smith was a pilot in active duty and referred to the flight training he received having a monetary value of approximately 1/4 of a million dollars.
Smith, like Zorman, encouraged students “when they were walking around WalMart and see a veteran like himself, with a hat saying who they were, to take the time and thank them” because the gesture means a lot.
After the ceremony Smith had this to say.
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Superintendent of Mountain Home Public Schools Dr. Jake Long closed out the event. In his remarks he commended students for the respect they showed and the veterans for the heroes they are.
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