Rota students serenade and pay tribute to NMI veterans

An Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja student leads her schoolmates in a song performance during the Rota Veterans Day ceremony. (Contributed Photo)

Led by the school’s talented music teacher and 3rd/4th grade adviser, Mary Rose S. Lucero, the students serenaded Luta veterans, elected leaders, and other patrons who gathered at the memorial part to honor veterans and those who are currently serving. The students sang You Raised Me Up, a song of worship or praise by Josh Groban.

“Our whole purpose is to honor the veterans, most especially Rota’s sons and daughters,” said administrator/principal Carmen H. Atalig. “Through their performances, these young students can appreciate the value of what our servicemen and women mean to the community and to the nation.”

The school’s student body president, Angelo Lucero, said, “Just because we are young doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the significance of Veterans Day. It was a nice ceremony for the veterans. We are proud to be a part of it.”

“Everyday we see our veteran hero at our school in Mr. Ed [Maratita Jr.] and TJ Hocog Atalig, the son of our beloved principal,” said student body vice president Jeremy John Atalig II. “Their passion to serve in the military is a sign of their dedication and commitment to protecting our nation and keeping us safe.”

“I think my classmates and schoolmates should spend more than one day a year being grateful for the veterans who protected our freedoms, and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said 7th grader Marvin Clitar. “These veterans and those still serving are the ones sacrificing their lives so that we can be free.”

Reservist and board chair Edward Maratita Jr., recounted a moment when the drill sergeant asked recruits to take a good look at the American flag.

“He told us if we joined the military for any other reason than the flag and to serve our country, then we needed to reevaluate what we were doing there,” Maratita said.

He told students and others who are thinking of joining the military that they need to consider the same thing, because “we live in dangerous times” and chances are good that they would be asked to serve on the frontlines of conflict.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig, Senate President Victor B. Hocog, Sen. Teresita Santos, Rep. Glenn Maratita, Rota Municipal Council chair George Hocog, councilman Ivan Mereb, Rota resident directors, and visiting priest Rev. Fr. Digno Jore Jr.

The administration, faculty and staff, students, and board of directors would like to express their appreciation to the parents, Rota Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and Rota DCCA-veterans representative Ryan Taisacan. (ESFDB)