HODGDON, Maine — The Hodgdon JMG program will continue its annual tradition of cooking breakfast and honoring all area veterans. It marks the 17th straight year that the school has hosted the event.
On Friday, Nov. 9, all veterans and family members are invited to Hodgdon Middle High School for a 7:45 a.m. breakfast, followed by a short ceremony. Last year, more than 100 attendees enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and muffins.
“Hosting the Veterans Day Breakfast gives me a sense of pride and fulfillment,” said Olivia Morris, Hodgdon JMG career association president. “I enjoy giving a display of deep respect for our veterans and honoring them with a handmade meal and carefully planned ceremony. They deserve it for all they have done for us.”
Student Dameon Saunders, said his “favorite thing about the Veterans Day Breakfast is welcoming our veterans and letting them know how much we appreciate what they do or have done for us.”
“It is an honor for us to host this event for our local veterans and families again this year,” added Jason Little, Hodgdon JMG specialist. “One of JMG’s focuses this year is becoming even more workforce oriented and more involved in workforce development/preparation for our students.”
The Veterans Day Breakfast provides some life job experience for the students while they get to demonstrate “soft skills” of professional attire, teamwork, respectfulness, taking initiative, and many skills, Little added.
“It gives our students an opportunity to honor our veterans and family members by serving breakfast and putting on the ceremony while they also have an opportunity to make connections with our guests,” he said. “One of my hopes is that the students realize the importance of community service and how events like this could possibly lead to future jobs down the road.”
Students from Hodgdon Middle/High School typically decorate the gymnasium in red, white and blue, while elementary students draw pictures thanking the veterans for their service. Members of the Hodgdon High School chorus, Mill Pond fourth-grade class and the Middle/High School band perform musical selections for entertainment.
“Our students have worked extremely hard these past two months preparing and planning for this event,” Little said. “They are thoroughly excited to welcome our guests into the school to show respect to them to honor them through the breakfast and ceremony. I love seeing the excitement increase with each new idea and plan they develop.”
For more information on this year’s event, or to RSVP, contact Little at 532-2413, ext. 2101 or email jlittle@jmg.org.
