North Canton Middle School has been honored as a Purple Star School. The Ohio Department of Education's Purple Star Award for military-friendly schools recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.
NCMS is proud to support our veterans and military families. Approximately 35,000 students in Ohio are members of military families, and there are close to 1.4 million active service members currently serving in the U.S. Military. Resources and support are available to our North Canton families. If you would like to speak to someone regarding support for your family, the counselors at NCMS are available to help you. NCMS thanks all of our men and women who have served and those who are currently serving in the U.S. Military.
PATRIOT'S PEN WINNERS FOR 2022-2023
North Canton Middle School eighth-grade students were asked, "My Pledge to Our Veterans" The top four essays were selected as the Patriot’s Pen Winners:
Patriot's Pen Winner:
8th Grader: Jacob Grow
My Pledge to our veterans is to follow in their footsteps and serve in the United States Military. I have been honored to meet some of the most courageous veterans such as : 3 Medal of Honor recipients, several green berets and many Vietnam and Iraq veterans. The memorable medal of honor recipient I know is Leroy Petry. He lost his right arm while throwing a grenade back while in a fire fight. He lost his arm that day. One of the things he told me was he wished he threw it with his left arm. I am named after a soldier who sadly passed away during the Iraq war. His name was Brain Freeman. Brian went to West Point with my father and was part of the 1999 class of cadets. Our veterans have shaped our country and military from July 4th 1776 when America was declared as separated from Great Britain till this very day. I am proud to be an American. We are so lucky to have an amazing free country. One, if not the greatest, right our veterans have protected is our right to vote. Most countries don’t have our kind of freedom. We get to choose who runs our country.
When we look back into the history of our country and military we have faced horrific times. One of the worst times was world war two. Our bravest men ran on the beach of Normandy. Imagine going to shore with one of your buddies next thing you know he has drowned or he was shot.Going to Normandy definitely was not an easy task. Another task that wasn’t easy was being deployed. I remember not knowing why I couldn’t see my dad for 6-8 months at a time. I remember one of the last times my dad was deployed, I didn’t know if I would ever see him again. When I think of our veterans, I think of the people that shaped our country. Another thing I think of, is the bravest men on planet Earth. I am very proud to be an American army brat that soon wishes to follow in the long gray line.
Patriot's Pen Winner:
8th Grader: Emily Epperly
The amount of people who are currently serving in the United States military is about 0.4%. Which is about 1.4 million people. Approximately 7.3% of all living Americans have already done their time in the U.S. armed forces. Not many people have served in the United States military, so this is my pledge to all the current military personnel, and veterans.
Many countries don’t have the blessings that the United States possesses. Most people don’t understand what veterans have gone through to grant us our freedom. Soldiers go through years of fighting, and not knowing if they will make it back home to their families, but they do it anyway. The ones who are fortunate enough to return home are still putting up a fight to get through each day. The terrors that veterans face after serving our country is inconceivable, so next time I recognize a veteran, I will say “thank you.”
I see a veteran at least once a week, so I will say “thank you”. To the old crippled man with his military hat, pushing his cart through the isles of a grocery store. I will stop him and say “thank you.” Or the woman who dropped her purse at the restaurant. I will pick it up, hand it to her, and thank her for her service. For the people at the local army reserve sitting outside eating their lunch while I ride my bike by. I will make sure they are aware that I am forever grateful for everything they have done for this country, and I. I will stop, help, and thank any veteran that I stumble upon.
Many people just ignore the veterans they cross paths with, but I will be different. I will give my time to every single veteran, or active military person. No matter what force. It could be army, marines, navy, airforce, spaceforce, or coast guards. I pledge to help or give my time to any branch as a thank you.
Even though less than one percent of American citizens are serving our country right now, and about seven percent have already done their time, I will make sure they know that I am forever appreciative for all they have done. No matter what age, race, or gender; they will know my pledge.
Patriot's Pen Winner:
8th Grader: Kaye Hayford
Do you know who a veteran is? A veteran is a person who once actively served in the military. In the wise words of Jeff Miller, “The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” Some veterans have lost everything because they served in wars to protect our freedom and our rights. I pledge to aid and protect those around me and never forget how the veterans served and still serve our country.
Veterans have sacrificed many things to serve. They have been separated from their families, isolated some of the time, and have given up their time to work long and difficult hours with no extra pay. President John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” This shows we have to live by our words and use the freedom and rights that veterans helped get us wisely. I pledge to honor, thank, respect, and remember all that the veterans did for us and continue to do for us.
What should we do for the veterans? Many veterans face challenges after coming out of the military. Some common hardships include unemployment, medical problems, poor health, homelessness, and many other things depending on who they are. I pledge to assist the veterans in the ways I can. There are numerous things we can do to support our veterans such as helping them get resources and medical support. We could help them find a home, or if they are actively serving, talk to loved ones.
Always thank your veterans. To start we should just thank the veterans who are close to our lives. I myself have two veterans in my life, I have my grandpa and my uncle. I should thank them more for all that they did, all it starts with is a little thank you. After we do that we can thank veterans we see in the store, on the street, at an event, or anywhere. Remember to be open-minded, considerate, and willing to listen to a Veteran or a member of their family when they have something to say about their circumstances in their life. We have to be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and courteous. My pledge to our veterans is to remember, honor, and thank them for everything they gave up to serve our country.
Patriot's Pen Winner:
8th Grader: Lydia McHolm
“My Pledge to Our Veterans.” A veteran is someone who risks or risked their lives to serve our country. I am forever grateful for everything they have done. I will forever remember what they have done for our country and I hope everyone else does too.
I especially want to recognize veterans for their bravery. Numerous hours were put into training and for some, actual war. World War 2 fighters gave up everything to put their lives on the line for our nation. Nearly 417,000 military members lost their lives for our protection. The amount of bravery these warriors showed while running down the battlefield is simply incredible.
I also want to recognize these warriors for the mental challenges they went through. Hardship at bases and the taxing, endless exercise can take a toll on these veterans' mental health. They endured so much stress and loss and I think they should be recognized for that.
People can respect veterans and show their appreciation by simply saying “thank you” or asking them about their experiences. They deserve some attention for their bravery, dedication, and compassion.
I want to appreciate the military children who had to move to other states or even countries. I personally have a friend who moves around with his family because his dad is in the military. He leaves behind his friends and home to follow his dad's work duties. The families of veterans are affected as well and make several sacrifices.
I am so grateful for the countless contributions to the military that every soldier has made. I hope veterans get treated with the utmost respect that they absolutely deserve. I also want to thank them for their bravery and resilience. As well as their families who sacrificed so much. This is my “pledge to our veterans.”
You are not alone here in North Canton City Schools.
WE THANK YOU.
WE SUPPORT YOU.
North Canton Services available to families in need:
*Call the counseling department at NCMS at 330-497-5635 for additional information.
North Canton Cares Network
North Canton Cares Pantry
North Canton Backpack Program
RESOURCES FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEBSITE TO SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES:
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission - Ohio is one of 50 states involved in the Interstate Compact for Educational Opportunities for Military Children, which is working to ensure that military children are properly enrolled in schools, have eligibility for school activities and have assistance in meeting graduation requirements. Learn about the compact on this website. For for additional information, contact ODE staff members Pete Lupiba, the council’s state commissioner, at Pete.Lupiba@education.ohio.gov | Working with Ohio’s Military Kids: what educators need to know
Veterans Executive Order Report - A comprehensive look at what state departments, boards, commissions and our institutions of higher education can do to support Ohio’s veterans and service members, and to make our state an ideal home for veterans seeking to launch their civilian careers.
House Bill 488 - Revised Code to require state institutions of higher education to award credit for military training, to increase penalties for certain theft, deception, and identity fraud offenses when the victim is an active duty service member, to allow for a civil action for victims of identity fraud, to make other changes regarding state support and benefits for veterans and their spouses, and to clarify membership in the State Teachers Retirement System.
Health Care Licensing for Military Members and Spouses - If you or your spouse is a current or retired member of the armed forces of the United States, or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio national guard, the following information is provided to help you in obtaining licensure or certification by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Ohio National Guard’s Family Readiness Program - This program provides information and tools for Ohio families, including educational resources, youth camps and recreational opportunities.
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) - The Military Child Education Coalition’s work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation and transition. | Voice for the Military Child: a newsletter for friends of the MCEC
Ohio Inter-service Family Assistance Coalition (ISFAC)- The ISFAC serves as a statewide “safety net” in support of Ohio military families. The ISFAC connects military families with national, state, regional and community resources as well as volunteer support services.
Ohio National Guard’s Family Readiness Program - This program provides information and tools for Ohio families, including educational resources, youth camps and recreational opportunities.
Army OneSource - Army OneSource, Army Child, Youth and School (CYS) Services works with parents, students and schools to mitigate the challenges resulting from children switching school systems because of family relocation or deployment of a parent.
Touching Base - Touching Base is a quarterly U.S. Department of Education newsletter for the military community.
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