Chester High School hosted its inaugural Veterans Breakfast on Nov. 9, as the school joined other institutions and organizations across the region in honoring its military servicemembers.
More than 50 local veterans attended the event, which was conceived by CHS social studies teacher Jim Kowzan.
"At all the other schools I've been at, we've always done something for the veterans around Veterans Day," he said. "So, I sent an email out to our administration asking if there was anything we've done and they said 'No, we haven't.'"
Thus, the idea for the breakfast was born.
"It was really that simple," he said. "We got more people involved and everybody's been very willing to help out and be accommodating.
"It's something we've got started and hopefully continue from year to year."
CHS students also had a chance to interact with the veterans, as the breakfast was scheduled to occur during the first hour of classes. A display was also set up in the cafeteria that featured items and memorabilia from veterans who are related to the school's students and staff.
"I've told the kids 'just sit down and talk with them,'" Kowzan said, referring to the veterans. "They always like to tell the stories about things that happened to them when they were in the military.
"From that historical standpoint, being a social studies teacher, that's what's important for me. So much of our history is handed down orally from generation to generation and that's what you have here."
