Brendan Craven has finalized his future plans after he graduates from Montgomery County High School on May 18.

The senior plans to serve the United States as he has enlisted into the United States Army, becoming the first member in his family to join the military.

“Being in service is a different kind of feeling and a different kind of way to help,” Craven said.

On Nov. 8, Craven and numerous veterans from the Montgomery County area were recognized during a Veterans Day ceremony at Montgomery County High School. He received a United States flag.

“I say that’s a definitely special feeling,” Craven said. “We don’t do it for recognition or praise. It’s definitely really, really nice just to know that you’re appreciated for what you do.”

Three other schools in the Montgomery County R-II School District – Jonesburg Elementary, Montgomery County Middle School and Montgomery City Elementary – also honored the veterans. Ceremonies were held at JBE and MCMS on Nov. 7 and at MCE the following day. Veterans Day was scheduled for Nov. 11.

During JBE’s ceremony, principal Jenny Krattli gave an explanation to the audience on why the school decided to celebrate veterans four days before Veterans Day.

“It’s not really Veterans Day, but we honor veterans every day,” Krattli said. “Our district tries to space out the veterans day assemblies so people can go to more than one.”

The Wellsville-Middletown R-I School District also had a Veterans Day ceremony on the morning of Nov. 8.

After the JBE Veterans Day ceremony, students got to shake the hands of all of the veterans. Krattli said her school was pleased with the numerous veterans attending the ceremony.

“We’re blessed and thankful to have you in our community,” Krattli said. “Most importantly, thank you for your service and sacrifice to our great country.”

Craven enlisted in the army in late February. He completed basic combat training last summer and plans to move on to advanced individual training next summer. He plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia afterwards.

Before the ceremony at MCHS, a breakfast was held at the cafeteria for the military members. U.S. flags were handed out to all of the members during the ceremony.

Craven said he was thrilled to sit next to a large group of veterans at the event.

“Some of them have served for a long, long time,” Craven said. “It’s like they say, ‘All given some and some give all.’ You really can’t thank the veterans enough. Some of them lost friends, they lost body parts, they lost their mental and physical health. What a lot of people didn’t talk about is time. They didn’t have time with their loved ones and the opportunities they missed out on because of the call of duty.”