For nearly 250 years, the United States of America has run off the protection provided by Military enlisters. Whether it be a war, an invasion, or combat, our Military propal have risked their lives to ensure America’s future generations are safe and at peace.
The Social Studies department, run by Kristin Kuchyt at Oak Lawn Community High School, recognizes the devotion of these veterans and has, therefore, hosted a Veterans Day event where veterans have come and presented their stories of serving the United States. One of these veterans is our Spartan Staff member, Kyle Kuzur.
Although Mr. Kuzur is only 29, he has already accomplished so much early. Months after graduating high school, Kuzur enlisted in the Military. Kuzur stood by his commitment to this enlistment for nine years, serving from 2014 to 2023. Kuzur described his days in the Military as “the best years of [his] life,” noting that his decision to serve the country was rewarding and fulfilling.
Another one of these veterans is our very own Spartan Detective Johnson, who served the years of 1996-2010, where he served four active years and ten reserved years. Detective Johnson has been dominating the forces scene his whole life. Seven years after Johnson’s duty was complete, Johnson began his law enforcement career in 2017, working as an officer at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Because of these intense experiences, Detective Johnson has always been valuable to any community he attends. As he spoke about his experience in the military, he highlighted two crucial details. Detective Johnson stated, “Take advantage of your resources; take advantage of your education.” He highlighted many benefits to joining the military, such as a free education and becoming a better, stronger person. Johnson stated that the army provided him structure and discipline, which he carries with him today. When asked to describe his experience serving his country in two words, Detective Johnson said his experience was “life-changing,” where he became a better person and met amazing people with whom he is still friends today.
Tim Thurnall is an impressive person and an impressive veteran. Thurnall served in the military from 1998 to 2006 and described his experience as “challenging, fulfilling, and one which he great lot of pride in.” Thurnall stated his favorite part about the military was the people he served with, whom Thurnall described as the best people he had ever met. Like Veteran Johnson and Veteran Kuzier, Thurnall stated that one thing one gets from the military is a “work ethic” essential to living an organized and steady life. Thurnall felt that his experience serving in the military made him not just any regular person but a person who exceeds standards.
The lessons we learn from our veterans are worth implementing into our everyday lives, and their advice is wise and valuable. Our veterans’ dedication to serving our country is worth our integrity and respect.
Yazlin F-Puebla is a junior at Oak Lawn Community High School who plans to enlist in the military after graduating in 2026. Having had professional conversations with these veterans and being inspired by the Veterans Day Event, she felt everyone must understand the measure to which we should be thankful to our veterans. Yazlin F-Puebla began a movement called “See a veteran, thank a veteran.” It is a movement that aims to capture the efforts of our veterans in a way in which everyone can participate by giving our veterans a simple thank you. The Students Against Destructive Decisions club has added to this movement by writing thank-you notes to veterans from all around America through the organization KardzforKids.
Kristin Kuchyt hosted this event because, in her own words, “I wanted to do something for the veterans. I wanted the students to have access to hearing the veterans stories”. Seeing a veteran means understanding the hard work of being a veteran. Recognizing this context is essential because our Military personnel, whether Thurnall, Johnson, Kuzur, or Mayor Vorderer, are heroes who must be recognized for the time they have given our country. Kristin Kuchyt has shined as a bright star in the eyes of her Oak Lawn peers for hosting this outstanding event, which portrays our veterans in a beautiful light. Per Yazlin f- Puebla, “See a veteran, thank a veteran. Happy Veterans Day, Oak Lawn.”
