Keeping the vets going

When eighth-graders from Mariners Christian School visited war memorials in Washington D.C. earlier this year, students said it was a life-changing experience.

Some cried when they met visiting veterans. Others said thank you and were touched when veterans replied: “We did this for you.”

On Tuesday, the Costa Mesa school did what it could to repay those who served this country. In a celebration leading up to Veterans Day, students and staff welcomed local veterans into their school and presented a $21,000 check to the Semper Fi fund, which helps support injured Marine veterans.

The gift was the finale to a day celebrating the men and women who’ve risked their lives for the United States.

“It’s a great day, and I say, ‘God bless the Christian schools,’” said Walter D. Ehlers, a Medal of Honor recipient who was honored during Tuesday’s ceremony. “Days like this, like Veterans Day, it’s something that sustains us and keeps us veterans going.”

Ehlers, 88, was a staff sergeant in the 18th Infantry of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1944 for taking out a machine gun nest and mortar position, while being wounded, and for rescuing a fellow soldier under enemy fire near Goville, France.

Even though Veterans Day is today, the school on Tuesday could barely contain its appreciation for veterans.

“It’s a very special day for the people who risked their life for our country,” said 11-year-old Josh Spicer, a sixth-grader. “Every time I hear about Veterans Day I think of my grandpa, who served in World War II and was killed. How special it is to have a grandpa who served in the war.”

If only the qualities we celebrate with Veterans Day were celebrated more often, one school aide said.

“I think you don’t find a lot of places that capitalize on the positive things of our country,” Kelly Beck said. “So this is nice. It aids in teaching them values.”

Those values were on full display Tuesday with the $21,000 check.

Every year, students at Mariners Christian raise money for their campus.

This year, officials said, they raised $18,000 and got a matching fund from a local business.

Instead of spending it on the school, they chose to help the veterans.

Medal of Honor Statistics

 3,468 medals of honor have been awarded.

 19 men have received the medal twice.

 843 medals of honor were awarded for action in World War II, Korea and Vietnam combined.

 2,403 medals of honor were given to members of the United States Army.

 621 medals of honor have been given posthumously.

— Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Society