Veteran’s Day is a special day to commemorate those who have served our country in all eras of the U.S.. On Friday, November 14, Key Club and Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy members hosted their annual Salute To Hometown Heroes Breakfast. The event took place at the Boys and Girls Club in Mooresville and over 100 veterans were in attendance. The group served food to the veterans and heard from speaker Major Jarod Overton.

“My favorite part of the breakfast was probably meeting the veterans, helping them, and getting to hear stories about their lives,” sophomore Jamison Elliot said.

Major Overton is a Mooresville and Purdue graduate who was selected to Officer Candidate School in 2005. He has served across the globe with three combat deployments under his belt.

“This was the first time I was sure this event would go well, I had a great group of kids to pull this off,” Key Club Adviser Alicia Richhart said.

Prior to this event Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy members also participated in a flag retirement ceremony on actual Veteran’s Day. They were given the opportunity to help prepare and serve food to veterans at the American Legion Post 103. After food was served, members of the club joined the Commander and members of the honor guard to do a flag retirement ceremony. Junior Julianna Bell also got to participate in the gun salute as part of the honor guard. Bell is a member of both the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy and JROTC.

“It was so cool, it was my first year in JROTC. When Richhart told me they asked if a cadet could come I volunteered immediately. Participating in the honor guard is such a high respect opportunity and it makes me happy to know I got to do it. It also made my dad and grandpa really proud,” Bell said.