Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, November 11, 2011

Gallery (click any photo to view the gallery)

The glee club led the singing at Dixie Magnet Elementary ...

A parade of nearly 100 service members opened the first-ever Veterans Day celebration at Dixie Magnet Elementary, where the gym bulged with patriotism and pride.

“It makes them feel good to know kids today are learning what Veterans Day means and that people still remember what they’ve done to serve their country,” said Cmdr. David Duttlinger, the guest speaker.

Duttlinger, who is in the Navy Reserve, talked about the importance of military service and referred to President Kennedy’s famous quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” His hope was that the kids will see beyond themselves in being responsible to their families, their community and ultimately their nation.

“Serving in the military is not always easy. The jobs require us to be gone from home, go overseas or even put ourselves in dangerous situations,” he said.

In 2004, for instance, Duttlinger was recalled for eight months of active duty in Iraq, where he supported the U.S. Marines as part of the Navy Civil Engineer Corps.

He emphasized that the armed forces are not all about guns, missiles and rockets, saying, “It takes a lot of different jobs in the military to protect our country.”

He used the example of parents protecting their children by buckling their seat belts, teaching them their home phone number and warning them not to talk to strangers. And in explaining the concept of diplomacy, he spoke of young friends not squabbling over toys but finding ways to get along – much like the United States does with other nations.

Duttlinger, whose own youngsters attend Clays Mill Elementary, told the Dixie students how today’s military emphasizes brains over brawn and encouraged them to be good citizens.

“You can already begin your service by studying really hard in school,” he said.

Duttlinger and Air Force Maj. Bryon Boehmke both highlighted the educational and travel opportunities afforded by the military.

“Many of the career fields translate directly into civilian jobs,” Boehmke, who was an air traffic controller in Europe, told students at Crawford Middle School. “You’re also going to get to see the world, especially if you stay in more than two or three years.”

Boehmke, who served during the Vietnam War era, noted how his veterans’ discount today enables him to fly nearly for free and how he rarely books a hotel because of personal connections around the country.

“I have lots and lots of good friends in all four branches of service. It’s a really close-knit brotherhood,” he said, adding, “One service could not win a war by itself. We all have to work together as a team.” 

2011 Veterans Day honorees

• List of FCPS employees and loved ones who have served in the armed forces