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Montoursville students honor area veterans

By Katelyn Hibbard 4 min read

"I'd like to start, as we always should, with gratitude."

Aaron Justice, a pilot in the Air Force Reserve, told the room exactly what he was thankful for -- or rather, who: the well-over 100 veterans who filled the Montoursville high school auditorium stage for the annual Veterans Day ceremony Friday, and all of their brothers and sisters in service.

Justice shared his military experience, starting more than 20 years ago at the age of 19 at the United States Military Academy West Point in West Point, New York.

Though most West Point graduates filter into the Army, Justice found himself in the Air Force, eager to fly planes like the C-130 -- a better option than jumping from the back of them, he said.

Over the course of his career, Justice piloted a variety of aircraft for both the Air Force and the Navy. But the C-130 was his main ride and carried him through more than 300 missions, navigating terrain from grass to gravel to sand.

"We don't need a runway in the 130, we just get it done," Justice deadpanned.

He and his wife, Sarah, a Montoursville graduate, moved around frequently before returning to the area about eight years ago. The couple has a son, Benny, who goes to school in the district.

Benny Justice was one of over a dozen students from Loyalsock Valley and Lyter elementary schools to share some words they wrote with the veterans in attendance.

The Air Force is one of the newest branches of the military, he said, and it boasts the motto, "Fly. Fight. Win."

Other students shared the history of the Statue of Liberty, the Pledge of Allegiance and the American flag.

One talked about his father, a Marine Corps veteran who served in the Second Battle of Fallujah, and mentioned that Friday was the Marine Corps' 248th birthday. The students later sang "Happy Birthday," topped off with a mighty "Hoorah" from one of the Marine Corps veterans on stage.

Yet another shared that her mom was a soldier in Iraq.

"She is a brave woman," she said, "and I learn a lot from her."

The students were introduced by Paula Pulizzi, elementary school librarian, who started the annual Veterans Day program 17 years ago. During the ceremony, it was announced that Pulizzi will retire at the end of the year -- news that was met with groans of disappointment, which turned to a standing ovation as the students and their families cheered on her years of dedication to putting together the event.

The crowd cheered again upon hearing that Pulizzi will continue to be involved in future Veterans Day programs.

The community, strength and beauty of the Montoursville area are what brought Justice and his wife back here, he said.

While Justice spends his time now teaching others to fly, he still keeps in touch with his team from his service in Iraq.

"I went to war with these guys," he said, pointing to photos of him with his team projected on a screen. "You develop a bond ... these guys are like family."

Every person on stage could tell a similar story, Justice said.

"Every story is unique," he said, but they'll have many things in common.

Some of the traits veterans share include teamwork, selfless service and integrity, he said.

"Those traits develop, just like your muscles and your ability to think critically," he said.

And anyone who wanted to start developing those traits -- a sure way to truly honor America's veterans regardless of age or resources, he said, could do so in three ways.

First, help out. Whether at home or in class, in Scouts or on a sports team, lend a hand whenever possible.

Second, step up and lead.

"You don't have to be in charge to be a leader," Justice said. "It's your words and deeds."

Finally, do what's right.

"Look out for one another," he said. "Do the right thing. You know what it is."

Returning to the theme of showing gratitude, Justice turned to the veterans on stage -- the highest number of participants in the program's history, representing nearly every branch of the military and every war and conflict since World War II.

Serving in the "most dominant military force in the history of the world" has been an honor, he said.

"I get to fly a jet this weekend and that's because of you all," Justice told the veterans. "I feel like I'm standing on the shoulders of giants."

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