On Veterans Day, both face-to-face and distance students at Vista Elementary participated in a virtual assembly via Zoom where they were able to hear from Veteran, Charley Bert Wright, about his experience serving in the Utah National Guard and his deployment to Desert Storm.
Students learned that Charley Bert Wright enlisted in the National Guard while a senior at Kearns High School. He did his basic training at Fort Ord in California. He returned home to Utah and joined the 144th Evacuation Hospital. The 144th is a 600 bed mobile hospital that can be moved where it is needed. While in the National Guard Charley held the positions of: medical clerk, operating room technician, and First Sergeant. He was serving as a First Sergeant overseeing 400 enlisted personnel during the Desert Storm war in 1990. He was assigned to go with the 144th to Saudi Arabia for his deployment. He was lucky enough to return home safely to his wife and 6 children. After 20 years of service Charley retired from the National Guard in 1993.
As part of the Veteran’s day activities at Vista, students helped decorate the school by coloring pictures and tracing their hands. Many included notes of thanks written on the paper hands which were formed into flags and hearts. These decorations adorned the cafeteria where students also listened to a storybook read by media center specialist, Ms. Hess. They also watched videos about Veteran’s Day and listened to patriotic music while eating lunch.
A special thanks to Mrs. Emily Jewkes-Wright for inviting her father-in-law to share thoughts and information on Veteran’s Day.
