VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Veterans across Hampton Roads gathered at Corporate Landing Middle School in Virginia Beach on Thursday to reflect on their years of service with students there.
The event is part of an annual breakfast celebration to honor and celebrate our nation's veterans. Thursday morning's celebration at this school offered students and staff a chance to reflect and honor those who've served our country from past to present.
"It's nice to be able to give back and honor our veterans here," said Corporate Landing Principal Robert Yoshida.
Many students at the middle school are military children. There was a sense of pride from students such as Addison, whose father Jake is a naval chief. The father and daughter have a shared experience navigating his seven previous deployments.
"It's a little hard at first because obviously, he's not there, but after a while... we email, we'll call and stuff," Addison said.
"For them, it's hard because dad is gone," Jake explained. "But when I come home from deployment, they lived for seven months, but I still see them as what they were seven months ago."
That's why he said capturing special moments like these is what keeps him going while away.
"You have to be creative," Jake said. "We have these little things; there's a little pillow with my picture on it, so they can have something to hold at night."
JAke said that this year, he will get to spend the holidays with family, but soon, he will be deploying in January.
"I love him, and everything he does for us," said Addison.
As the event came to a close, students left with a deeper appreciation for our veterans.