Geneva Middle School Invite Veterans to Ceremonies

GENEVA, IL — Area veterans are welcome to attend all-school Veterans Day ceremonies at Geneva Middle School North and South on Monday, Nov. 11. Students and staff have invited their families and the veterans in their lives to the student-led events, which will honor all individuals who have served our country, according to a news release from District 304.

This year's keynote speaker at Geneva Middle School South is decorated Vietnam veteran Capt. Van C. Stone, who this year attended a Sept. 18 Honor Flight to D.C. More information about Capt. Stone is included below.

The ceremonies at Geneva Middle School North, 1357 Viking Drive, will start at 8:30 a.m. in the blue gym. Geneva Middle School South, 1415 Viking Drive, will hold its ceremony starting at 8:45 a.m. in the contest gym.

Here is some additional information regarding the ceremonies:

• Student involvement includes the social studies classes and clubs; performances by the eighth-grade choirs, bands, and orchestras; and numerous student speakers.
• At GMS South, veterans are invited to talk with students following the conclusion of the ceremonies during a continental breakfast in the cafeteria.
• Captain Van C. Stone, a decorated Vietnam veteran and Geneva resident, will deliver a keynote speech at GMS North. He served in the Army from 1968-1971 with assignments in armor and infantry. He served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 and concluded his service at Fort Polk, La., as Company Commander of E/5/2. He returned to civilian life, graduating from Washburn Law School and has spent the last four decades as a lawyer, banker, executive director of an Illinois charity, and public speaker. For nearly five decades, Captain Stone has spoken at veteran events, given motivational seminars, and taught charities applicable law.