A Community Commitment to SERVICE

By Dr. Chris S. Garran, Head of School

While many reasons exist to celebrate and recognize Cape Henry Collegiate’s Class of 2023, I commend the decision made by nine of our graduates to enroll in a military academy or the Corps of Cadets. While Cape Henry has a deep tradition of graduating students who go on to serve our nation, we have never had this many in a single graduating class do so. These nine students chose to buck the current downward trend of active duty enlistment and service academy applications, and send a strong message that they care deeply about service.

As someone whose father served in the United States Army, I have always held a deep respect for those among us who serve and lead in order to protect our nation and our allies. As a teenager, I remember my father telling me stories of his time serving in World War II. As an 18-year-old – the same age as most of our graduates – he landed on the beaches of Normandy on the fourth day of the D-Day invasion. His anti-tank unit fought its way through Europe and participated in the liberation of Pilsen in the current day Czech Republic, removing the Nazis even while the new threat of the Red Army made its way from the east. My father went on to attend Dartmouth College using the G.I. Bill when he returned. He married and had a family and a successful career, giving every indication he had left the war behind. Yet, even many decades later, when we traveled together in France, he had no interest in traveling north to Normandy to revisit its beaches. Similarly, he would never watch Saving Private Ryan. Clearly, the memories of the war and of lost friends stayed with him, and recognizing that helped me understand the many ways in which sacrifice manifests.

Joining the Cape Henry community helped deepen that understanding and further my commitment, and the commitment of the School’s, to support our service families. Military children show incredible resolve. Often, they’ve traveled the country and the world, developing a confidence and perspective beyond their years and enriching our School community. Still, there is no doubt those benefits come at the great cost of repeatedly moving away from friends and family to start over, and missing and worrying over deployed parents. In the face of such sacrifice, it is imperative that Cape Henry show our support and appreciation for these families year after year.

That is why, soon after joining the School eight years ago, I recognized Veterans Day as a schoolwide holiday and joined with my colleagues to establish the inaugural Veterans Day Breakfast and Program. The breakfast provides an opportunity for students and active duty or veteran parents and grandparents to gather, share stories and bond over generational military connections. At these programs, every branch of the United States armed forces is present, along with families who represent military branches from our allies in NATO and beyond.

We are also proud of the work students and faculty have done to create our Military Kids Club. The club brings together students who deeply understand each others’ unique lives, giving them opportunities to talk and support each other. Older students mentor younger military children during meetings on the playground or with crafts and activities. They also showed pride in their families and allowed the rest of us to recognize them during Month of the Military Child by wearing special patriotic pins purchased by the School.

Considering all of this, as the Head of School at Cape Henry, I feel immense pride in the decision made by the Class of 2023’s Lauren Aaby and Carson Poulos to attend the United States Naval Academy; Finn Cooke and George Sullivan to attend Virginia Military Institute; Mason Reid to attend the United States Military Academy West Point; Braden Aaby, Josh Old and Chris Parker to join the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech; and Connor Amet to join the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M.

Each shared with me different reasons for choosing this path. For some, it’s the natural evolution of a lifetime of volunteer service with charities or religious organizations. For others, this opportunity will give them a taste of military life and will allow them to better understand if it is a longer-term commitment that they would like to make. Still others have already made the decision and envision a career as an officer in the armed forces. Some are looking for structure or lessons in leadership. Most often, however, our students shared that they want to replicate the close-knit community and common sense of purpose they found here at Cape Henry. They also shared what they’re nervous about. From shaving their heads to limited sleep, they hold normal fears about what is to come. They recognize they will have less access to family and friends and a more regimented lifestyle. Yet, as their Head of School, I know these young leaders will face their fears, overcome them and go on to serve us well. We send them off with our best wishes and with deep gratitude for their rare willingness to serve and give back to our nation.

CLASS OF 2023: