A Word From Dr. Satterly—November 11, 2021

A Word From Dr. Satterly—November 11, 2021

Dear WA Community,

Today is Veterans Day. Originally called Armistice Day marking the end of World War I, it was changed to its current form in 1954. Each year this special day honors those who have served in our armed forces.

One of my favorite family pictures is of my maternal grandfather and his two brothers at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Eve 1943. Three skinny kids from Eastern Kentucky, serving on separate ships, found each other that day. The image harkens to a different time but one in which our greatest generation answered the call. More than forty years later, I followed in his footsteps. Raising my right hand on a June afternoon at Fort Benning, I became Lieutenant Satterly. I stand with others on our faculty and staff who have served this great country.

Each Veterans Day, we honor service and sacrifice. Yesterday, during our Veterans Day Chapel, I shared some thoughts about honor. Our guest speaker, Patrick Bet-David, a veteran and WA parent, shared his testimony and inspired our students to serve—a key trait that we hope to instill in our students. In fact, today our sophomores are serving at Feeding South Florida. Our freshman class served there last week, and our juniors and seniors will be serving at Homes United tomorrow. Service and sacrifice are sacred ideas, but they did not originate with us. We are mere reflections of the greatest service and sacrifice offered by Jesus. He is worthy of our honor and praise. For this, we are most thankful.

While Veterans Day does afford an opportunity for thanksgiving, a different holiday has been set aside for that, and it is just around the corner. Perhaps our thankfulness for those who have service compels us to a deeper commitment to counting blessings. In our family, each takes a turn offering thanksgiving before carving the holiday turkey. With the Thanksgiving holiday in mind, let us gather around the table and recount the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. God has been, is, and will always be faithful.

To God be the Glory!

Joel Satterly
Headmaster