McCord Junior High Veterans Day Assembly

Purple Heart recipient Army Spec. Matt Drake was honored during Veterans Day Assembly at McCord Junior High School in Sylvania. CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE, START SLIDESHOW

Sylvania teacher and service member Walt Connolly prepares a slideshow about Purple Heart recipient Army Spec. Matt Drake during Veterans Day Assembly at McCord Junior High School in Sylvania.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Sylvania teacher and service member Walt Connolly prepares a slideshow about Purple Heart recipient Army Spec. Matt Drake during Veterans ... THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Lisa Schuster and her son Army Spec. Matt Drake laugh when his phone rings during his speech.. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Lisa Schuster holds the speech for her son Army Spec. Matt Drake. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Students give Army Spec. Matt Drake a standing ovation after his speech. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Weapons Co. 124 Marine Sgt. Shawn Campbell, folds a flag during a flag folding demonstration. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Weapons Co. 124 Marine Honor Guard Sgt. Jared Shaffer salutes Shawn Campbell during a flag folding demonstration. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Guest speaker Chaplain Lt. Col. Harold Owens, of the 180th Fighter Wing, speaks during Veterans Day Assembly. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Gene Bohland plays TAPS. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Purple Heart recipient Matt Drake is hugged by retired Army Col. and Maumee resident Diana French. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo The Marine Honor Guard posts the colors during Veterans Day Assembly. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Parent volunteer Lois Sanders plays the piano for the McCord Choir as choir director Bettie Boswell leads the students with the song God Bless America.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Parent volunteer Lois Sanders plays the piano for the McCord Choir as choir director Bettie Boswell leads the students with ... THE BLADE/LORI KING

Lisa Flores wipes a tear as she watches a slideshow of local soldiers. She is sitting with her husband Benjamin Flores, an Army infantry veteran from Toledo.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Lisa Flores wipes a tear as she watches a slideshow of local soldiers. She is sitting with her husband Benjamin ... THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Airman Walt Connolly shakes hands with John Schuster, the grandfather of Matt Drake. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo 180th Fighter Wing chaplain Lt. Col. Harold Owens hugs Army veteran Matt Drake. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Army veteran Spec. Matt Drake, left, shakes hands with retired Army First Sgt. Tim Gangway. THE BLADE/LORI KING

McCord 7th graders from left Riley Runnells, Bridgette Stirn, Maizy Crandall and Hope Talbert speak with Army Spec. Matt Drake.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo McCord 7th graders from left Riley Runnells, Bridgette Stirn, Maizy Crandall and Hope Talbert speak with Army Spec. Matt Drake.... THE BLADE/LORI KING