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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The Austintown Fitch Color Guard held up flags as the band and choir performed during the Veterans Day assembly at Austintown Fitch High School on Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.One of the Fitch students performed a solo during the choir performance during the Veterans Day assembly at Austintown Fitch High School on Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Chris Wortman, a Gold Star Mother, spoke during the Veterans Day Assembly at Austintown Fitch High School on Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Austintown Fitch High School students shook hands with veterans after the annual Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 11 at Fitch High School.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Austintown Fitch High School’s 33rd Veterans Day Assembly brought together students, veterans, faculty and other Austintown community members on Nov. 11.
Chris Wortman, a Gold Star Mom, spoke to the crowd about her duty as a “Gold Star Mother” with three children enlisted in the military and one who was killed in action.
Sgt. Robert Carr, Wortman’s son and Champion High School graduate, was killed in action by an explosive device on March 13, 2007, while on patrol in Al Dora, Baghdad, Iraq. Carr received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and several other medals and badges.
Wortman says she now dedicates her life to serving and speaking about veterans.
“He always was my hero and now he’s everyone’s hero,” said Wortman.
Wortman was given a plaque and a key to the township made after her speech by the Austintown trustees.
Hearing the story about Wortman and her children, especially Carr, had a major impact on the students. The students have a respect for military and having speakers like this allows them to stay connected.
“Get up, show courage and do something by simply saying ‘Thank you for serving’,” Fitch principal Chris Berni told the students. Before the junior and senior students left the assembly, they walked up to a veteran who they did not know, shook their hand and thanked them for their service.