Veterans Day. For many students, it's an extra day off from school to relax and play video games (or, for the more studious types, catch up on homework).

But this year on Nov. 11, 23 students from Boothbay Region High School volunteered to honor what the day is truly all about by participating in the Summit Project, which honors the lives of Maine veterans who have given their lives in service since Sept. 11, 2001.

Stones, engraved with the names of fallen Maine soldiers, were passed out to participating students. Students then took a walk around town, through the rain, from BRHS along Townsend Avenue, Oak Street, looping around downtown before heading across the footbridge towards the Fishermen's Memorial across from the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Once there, students gathered in a semicircle where they spoke about the veteran their stone represented. Freshman Faith Blethen carried the stone of Army Staff Sgt. Dale J. Kelly Jr. of Richmond, who died in Iraq from the detonation of an explosive device. She spoke about his family, including three kids, and his faith and humor. Senior Hannah Morley spoke about Army Spc. Wade A. Slack of Waterville, who died at the young age of 21 in Afghanistan. She spoke about his interests and his desire to help others.

Sophomore Hunter Arsenault spoke about Army PFC. Andrew R. Small of Wiscasset, who died at the age of 19 in Afghanistan when he jumped on a thrown grenade to save his platoon. Arsenault spoke about Small's grin, how it got him out of trouble and his love of sports, including the Red Sox and Patriots.

Every student spoke about the veteran whose stone they carried, and each student will end the project by writing a letter to the veteran's family. The Summit Project is the creation of Major David J. Cote, a native Mainer who is an officer in the Marine Corps and an Iraq War veteran.

The students participated in a Veterans Day parade and ceremony at BRHS, where they placed the stones in a display case that will be at the high school library for the next month before the stones are sent back to the Summit Project to be carried again.

BRHS Principal Dan Welch said the day before, he saw the weather forecast and asked the students if they wanted to continue.

“They all said 'we will push through',” Welch said. “And (they) braved the cold and rain and got in to speak in front of their classmates, which can be stressful and scary. I am very proud of them.”

During the ceremony, Major Devin T. Robinson from the Maine International Guard came to speak to the students and attendees. He spoke about the origin of Veteran's Day, how it is held the day that marked the end of World War I, and encouraged everyone to “look inward and remember those veterans that had a direct influence on you.” He also encouraged those who had no veterans in their families to find time in the next year to befriend one.

After the ceremony Robinson said while driving down that day, even with the rain and cold, he decided he wanted to bring his family here to visit.

“I get to travel all over Maine for events like this,” Robinson said. “Boothbay is beautiful, and it's on my short list of places to visit again for sure.”

“(The Summit Project) is a wonderful example of the kind of students we have,” Superintendent Eileen King said after the ceremony. “Here they are honoring veterans on Veterans Day, no just treating it like a day off from school.”

“It's one day of school compared to a lifetime of service,” sophomore Lillian Sherburne said. “They deserve many more days of honor that just this one.”

“My mom told me about this project and if I hadn't come, I probably would have just played video games all day,” freshman Blake Erhard said. “This is more important.”

“I appreciate the dedication shown by these young people here today,” veteran Palmer Payne of Boothbay Harbor said. “They went out of their way to show respect for those servicemen who did not make it home.”

The project was first suggested by Southport Central School guidance counselor Meredith Fowlie, and was supported by Dan Welch who led the students on their walk on Veteran's Day. The students participating included Gabe Purin, Sherman Brewer, Ashley Littlefield, Allyson Barter, John Lucas, Hannah Morley, Lexi Lane, Joseph Lane, Alexis Davidson, Emma Hodgdon, Faith Blethen, Blake Erhard, Hannah Gentry, Annielyn MacKusick, Anna Baum, Grant Giles, Chelsie Graves, Alexis Welch, Nicole Clarke, Hunter Arsenault, Lillian Sherburne, Molly Thibault, and Erica Nightingale.

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