Jefferson-Morgan honors veteran students with memorial wall
Trista Thurston/Observer-Reporter
American Legion Post 954 Adjutant Tom Shumaker, left, and Jefferson-Morgan High School teacher Shannon Corbett point to their photos on the school’s Wall of Honor.
Trista Thurston/Observer-Reporter
Jefferson-Morgan Superintendent Joseph Orr counts photos on the district’s Wall of Honor Nov. 21.
American Legion Post 954 Adjutant Tom Shumaker looks at the Jefferson-Morgan Wall of Honor Nov. 21.
The Jefferson-Morgan Wall of Honor.
JEFFERSON – When current Jefferson-Morgan Superintendent Joseph Orr came on as the high school’s principal, he realized all sorts of students and alumni were recognized for their achievements.
But there was no place to honor those that selected military service after graduation.
This led to the creation of their Wall of Honor, which features photos of students in the military and flags for each branch.
“It has grown like crazy in this last year,” Orr said. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be recognizing them.”
The wall with nearly 100 photos is hard to miss. There are traditional military headshots and also candid, more natural photos.
Former students are excited to bring in their photos, Orr said. They come in uniform to drop it off and thank their teachers.
It commands attention. Students and visitors alike stop, point and look at the photos. The wall also features generations of families.
“There’s an immediate draw, an immediate connection,” Orr said. “I can stare at these pictures all day long. It becomes really emotional for people.”
The school has a close relationship with American Legion Post 954 in Jefferson. Post Adjutant Tom Shumaker said they thought nothing of helping the school with their wall by donating some funds to get the photos up.
The project began last fall with a $500 donation. Shumaker helped with the project and is one of the honorees on the wall. He graduated from Jefferson-Morgan in 1959 and served in the U.S. Army.
Shumaker said there’s a history of J-M teachers in the post. No other area school recognizes its veterans in such a personal way, he said. They’ve received thank you cards, emails and messages in response to the effort.
“I don’t think it matters what it is,” Orr said of other schools honoring their veteran graduates. “I just think it’s important that there is that recognition for our kids that choose service.”
Shannon Corbett, a 1991 Jefferson-Morgan graduate and current math teacher, said that it shows students their school is proud of what they’ve selected to do beyond graduation. Corbett was an Army specialist and his photo is on the wall, too.
“I never thought I’d see my picture up there,” he admits.
He didn’t think much of joining the military at the time, but the wall shows there’s pride in that choice.
“You may want to forget your high school years, but your high school hasn’t forgotten you,” Shumaker said.
Educators such as Corbett and James McGrath, a Navy veteran, an officer in the Coast Guard Reserve and social studies teacher, can see the impact their service has had on them. They remembered one Marine who was back to visit and gave them chills to see how he’d grown up. It’s also interesting to see the progression of uniforms throughout the years.
Orr said it was a process setting it up in the beginning, but wanted to make sure students were involved in each step. Teachers and students alike crafted a central wooden flag and the wooden lettering around it.
Those interested in submitting a photo for the wall of honor can contact the superintendent, American Legion Post 954 or drop it off at the school. Photos can also be emailed. Any honorably discharged veteran and graduate of Jefferson-Morgan is asked to include his or her name, year of graduation, branch of service and rank along with a photo in uniform.
Call the school at 724-883-2310 for more information.