Rockbridge Academy’s 18th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Honors Service Members

A classical Christian school in Crownsville, Rockbridge Academy observed its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday morning. Rockbridge Academy has held this special ceremony every year (except during the pandemic) since 2008 to recognize the service, example and legacies of those active or retired service members in the local community.

Dr. Chip Crane, a retired lieutenant commander with the U.S. Navy and a Rockbridge Academy alumni parent, helped the school do just that; he shared an encouraging perspective on classical Christian education and its excellent preparation for servicemen and women with a crowd of over 400 students and faculty, staff, service members, alumni, current parents, alumni parents, and grandparents. Among the attendees were Councilwoman Shannon Leadbetter.

This year’s program featured student talent in observation of the holiday: the upper school choir sang “In Flanders Fields,” sixth-grade students led the audience to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the Rockbridge string ensemble performed the “Armed Forces Medley,” and 12th grade student David Wilson presented his Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) speech on how to honor Veterans.

That morning, the school also had the honor of receiving Rockbridge alumni service members back to attend the ceremony, including Midshipman Michael Grube, who introduced Crane. Rockbridge Academy noted that 8% of its total alumni, including the class of 2025, have served or are serving in the armed forces. Last year alone, three out of 38 graduates, 7% of the graduating 2025 class, were accepted into and joined service academies.

This Veterans Day, the generations at Rockbridge Academy extend a warm, respectful “thank you” to all veterans.