Monrovia Middle teacher makes annual Veterans Day assembly a must attend event

MONROVIA – When Mark Lambert started his teaching position at Monrovia Middle School in 2017, one of the first things he discussed with then principal, Anthony Thompson, was a Veterans Day program. Within eight short years, Lambert has grown the assembly into one of the most attended and celebrated school Veterans Day celebrations in the area.

“I consider myself a very patriotic man who loves this nation and looks to celebrate America’s heritage and heroes whenever I can. Mr. Thompson told me that in 2016, the school recognized veterans and their service at a November PTO meeting. There were only about 12 people at the meeting. We agreed that this was not the acceptable standard for our students at Monrovia Middle School,” Lambert said. “He agreed to be on board with my idea of a schoolwide activities and an assembly and told me that I was in charge.”

Lambert, who was worried that no one would show up to that first assembly, was pleasantly surprised when the school welcomed 50 veterans. He said the band played as the veterans paraded into the gym in single file walking through a tunnel of sabres as the entire gym filled with students, faculty and a few guests. The veterans received a standing ovation, a tradition they continue to do every year.

“Both old and not so old veterans were smiling ear to ear that day,” Lambert said. “It was a good day exceeding my expectations, but I could see room for improvement.”

One of the improvements was the inclusion of breakfast. The other change, adding a special emphasis or theme to the assembly each year, was something Lambert learned from the World War II veteran that spoke at the first assembly. The speaker told a few good stories, but because the student body is made up of 12-14-year-olds, they learn more if they are actively doing something rather than sitting and listening.

“Our speakers have changed from a simple lecture to getting the students involved. Since students learn best by actively participating, our speakers have had our student body marching in place, jumping from a plane like a paratrooper and learning the way to properly salute. The day our students learned to properly salute, they turned to salute our veterans, and the veterans saluted back to the students. It was a pretty cool moment.”

This year’s assembly, scheduled for Nov. 7, will focus on the American flag and answering questions like: What does it stand for? Why show respect for it? How to fold the flag? The many traditions including the band, chorus, Sparkman High School’s JROTC saber team, drill team and rifle team presentations as well as acknowledging the veterans will once again be a part of the assembly.

“Surprisingly, many young people today do not know flag procedures, so we are going to make sure they understand proper flag protocol and etiquette,” Lambert said.

The Monrovia assembly has become a favorite among area veterans. Vietnam veteran, Barry Sammet, has attended the assembly for the past few years. He says that like himself, every veteran he has talked with that has attended the Monrovia Middle School Veteran’s Day program always looks forward to the next time they can attend.

“For me, it’s the feeling of being welcomed and appreciated as a veteran from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart the building to head home,” Sammet said. “The ‘all in’ effort on the part of the students and the staff to display their feelings of appreciation and respect for the role veterans play in protecting and maintaining America’s freedom.”

Sammet is willing to admit that he has shed a few tears while in attendance in the past, especially when World War II veterans were recognized. Sammet was present in 2019 when WWII veteran, Charles Henry, received his lifelong dream of obtaining paratrooper wings. This assembly provoked tears in not just Sammet, but Lambert as well.

“Mr. Henry told his story to our guest speaker at the breakfast. He had tried to sign up to be a paratrooper for the war but was denied because he was African American. He served elsewhere in the war, but he always wanted to be a paratrooper,” Lambert said. “Our speaker was a high ranking military official and during his time to speak, he told the assembly the story of the veteran. The speaker removed his own paratrooper wings and presented them to our veteran and made him an honorary paratrooper. There were many eyes full of tears. It was a special moment that could only happen by divine intervention. Our new honorary paratrooper died two years later.”

A program like Monrovia Middle School’s does not happen overnight. Lambert begins planning for the event a year ahead of time. He is constantly looking and listening for new ideas to use as a theme as well as new presentations and visitors who can add to the excitement and enjoyment of the day.

“There is no ‘go to’ place to find new ideas. I beg and borrow ideas I’ve seen or heard about. I just keep my eyes open, and something will present itself,” Lambert said. “Plus, we have a few traditions that we do every year that I look at ways to do differently. One way was the presentation of the colors. We started with the Boy Scouts then changed it to the Sparkman JROTC cadets. They were both great but again I found a new, unique avenue for the colors. Now I am able to secure the Sons of the American Revolution to present the colors in their Revolutionary War uniforms and gear. Nobody has seen that, and it makes a big impression on the students.”

Lambert says he coordinates the event for two reasons: one to say thank you to the veterans and two so the students understand about patriotism, service and sacrifice so that one day they can become good citizens and better understand America’s heritage.

“They need to see the faces of real American heroes,” Lambert said. “Hopefully, we have planted the seeds for civic responsibility and one day Monrovia students will develop qualities in them like empathy, gratitude and patriotism.”

Besides participating in the audience, Lambert has made it a yearly priority to involve more and more students in the day’s events. All social studies teachers are provided with a lesson on the year’s theme. Art students make a special project for the veterans that is displayed at the breakfast, English classes participate in a writing contest, yearbook students interview veterans and take photos of the assembly, and a special group of students are chosen to lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Every student makes thank you cards that Lambert passes on to veteran shut-ins in the area and the Veteran home. Students also make goodie bags to give to the veterans and help out at the breakfast.

Lambert says he loves talking to the students after the event to see what made the biggest impact on them. It is often the smallest things that touch them the most.

“I’ve heard students say it is watching an elderly veteran struggle to stand and has to have help to stand when his branch of the military medley song is played. Or watching the smile cover over the face of a veteran, who is nearly 100 years old as the students sing happy birthday,” Lambert said. “I take a moment in the assembly to look around the gym and see all the people who are there…students engaged…veterans are watching…I’m just taking it all in…relishing in the moment. I’m thinking wow, this is truly special.”

Along with Lambert, Monrovia Middle school principal, Keith Trawick also enjoys seeing the students participate in the annual event.

Each year, I look forward to seeing the genuine connections made between students and veterans during the Veterans Assembly. It’s inspiring to witness the students’ heartfelt expressions of gratitude, as well as the veterans’ appreciation for being recognized,” Trawick said. “The shared stories and powerful moments always create a memorable and uplifting experience for the entire school community.”

Monrovia Middle School has hosted as many as 200 veterans. Lambert says groups like Honoring Veteran Legacies, Wounded Warriors and American Legion Posts have helped in spreading the news about the event as well as bringing members to the event. Word of mouth helps in getting returning veterans to bring a friend and new veterans to the event. To Sammet, it’s the quality of the assembly that keeps veterans returning.

“The cheering, the clapping, the whole atmosphere emits a sincere positive mood. I feel a sense of pride and even goosebumps on my arms,” Sammet said. “As far as the Monrovia Middle School assembly, I don’t think there is a best part. I believe the whole program is the best part.”

The upcoming assembly will be Lambert’s eighth one to coordinate for the school. His devotion to delivering a top-rated Veterans Day program does not go unnoticed by Trawick.

“Mr. Lambert’s success in coordinating and hosting the Veterans Assembly comes from his deep dedication to honoring veterans and his ability to create a meaningful, inclusive event,” Trawisk said. “His attention to detail, thoughtful planning, and commitment to involving students in the process ensure that each assembly is both heartfelt and impactful. His passion for building community connections makes the event truly special year after year.”

Trawick is correct. Lambert’s passion for teaching students about the sacrifice of veterans as well as making the veterans attending feel honored is evident every year. To Lambert it is simply successful because Monrovia makes the celebration a priority. The students are prepared and understand the day is important because we make it a big deal.

“We are sincere in our words and actions that say thank you to our veteran guests. Our students understand how important it is and are involved in making it a great day,” Lambert said. “I had a speaker once tell me ‘You can just feel it here, that you guys really care.’”