Veterans Day: A Time of Reflection and Recognition in District 203

While some students had Veterans Day off to sleep in or spend doing whatever they wanted, students in District 203 were learning about the day from the men and women who served the nation.

Friday morning about 70 veterans gathered at the administration office for a breakfast. As the men and women ate, the conversations turned to the schools the veterans would be visiting.

The district invites veterans to attend its breakfast, which honors them and in return the veterans make their way to schools around the district, where they meet with students. 

“I think it’s the least we can do for what they did to begin with,” said District 203 Superintendent Mark Mitrovich. “They give a second time. They make what the kids learn in the classroom come alive.”

The early morning event included patriotic songs from the Naperville Central High School Chorale, comments from Mitrovich, school board member Suzyn Price, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Kitty Ryan and veteran Terry Jelinek. Fourth grade students Abhinav Gupta, Michelle Kee and Anna Wexler, from Ranch View Elementary School read poems they wrote in honor of veterans. 

Mike Barbour, a veterans advocate for Naperville Township, said he comes from a family that has had a member serve in every war since the Revolutionary War.

“I’m a Vietnam Veteran and every day like this kind of erases what we faced when we came home,” Barbour said. “Vietnam Veterans' mission is to make sure no one is treated like we were.”

People realized now that soldiers are just doing their job and whether they agree or disagree with the war itself, the soldiers deserve respect, he said.

Veterans Day is special because, he said, “This day allows me to reflect on my comrades that are on the wall.”

Terry Jelinek, senior vice commander of the American Legion Post #43 and assistant quartermaster at the , said that the veterans find it very rewarding to be able to go into the schools and talk to the students. 

“Veterans Day is an appreciation for anyone who served their country,” Jelinek said. “It is very encouraging for all of us and we appreciate what the district does and appreciate going to the schools. … We feel very rewarded for doing that.”