Veterans Day Assembly Remarks

Delivered remarks from Lt. Col. (ret.) Ross Davis, COO, Potomac School during the Intermediate School Veterans Day Assembly 2024-25

Good afternoon, everyone. Before I start, I want you all to do something for me. Close your eyes for just a moment.

Now picture yourself standing in Germany after World War II. The year is 1948—you are living in a big city that has been through very tough times—buildings are in ruins, food and supplies running low, and people all around you are trying to hold on to hope.

Now, keeping your eyes closed, imagine you hear the sound of a plane above. You look in the distance and see something strange floating in the sky—a little parachute carrying a gift. It falls right into your hands. Now open your eyes.

This was the reality for children living in Berlin. Their city was devastated after the war, and everyone was facing hardships. But a United States Air Force pilot named Gail Halvorsen did something extraordinary.

Instead of just flying supply missions, he also tied candy to tiny parachutes and started dropping them to the children. His small act of kindness—during this very sad and difficult time in Germany—gave the children more than just something sweet to eat—it gave them hope.

If you want to learn more about this story, go Google the “Berlin Candy Bomber.”

So why do I tell you this story today? I chose this story because, to me, it captures the spirit of Veterans Day—and the core values that we live by here at the Potomac.

Gail Halvorsen’s courage to go beyond what was required of him, his perseverance in continuing his candy drops despite the risks, his humility in not seeking recognition for his actions, his respect for the children’s situation, and his integrity in doing what he knew was right—even when it wasn’t part of his job—are all values we should carry with us every day.

Now—let’s talk more about our school’s values and how they resonate with veterans like me.

Humility: True service comes from a place of humility. For me, humility is when you act not for yourself—but for something greater.

I decided to join the military because, like Gail Halvorsen, I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. In my senior year of college at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), I made up my mind to join the Air Force. My time at VMI allowed me to meet many veterans and learn firsthand about humility—and the importance of serving others.

Gail Halvorsen’s selfless act is the standard we should all strive for. Humility is what makes selfless acts possible; it is the foundation that enables us to serve others—without seeking something in return.

Courage: Service in the military also taught me courage. It takes courage to face difficult challenges.

While serving, I had to leave my family for very long periods of time, and this was uncomfortable for me. Having the courage to do something, even when it makes you uncomfortable, is how you grow as a person.

Whether that’s flying into a dangerous area to help someone in need—or deciding not to avoid a situation because it is complex or hard. You don’t have to be a veteran to show courage.

Each of you can show courage every day—by standing up for what’s right—even when it’s hard—and by not letting any uncomfortable situation prevent you from helping someone else.

Perseverance: Perseverance is another key value I learned in the military.

I served for 20 years in the Air Force. Over those 20 years, my family and I moved 8 times. We lived in Texas, Nevada, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, and New Jersey. I spent a year in Afghanistan and 4 months in Africa.

Moving this often was difficult. It can be emotionally challenging to start over in a new place every couple of years—with a new school, new friends, and a new home.

Here at Potomac, when you face tough times—in school, with friends, or in life, your perseverance will help you overcome those obstacles. Keep pushing forward, even when it feels like you want to quit. Your family, friends, and community will get you through it.

Integrity: Another important value is integrity.

In the military—and in life, you have to make decisions that affect others. Integrity means doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. Did you know, integrity is also a core value of the Air Force. While the umbrella of integrity includes how we deal with others—it is principally based on how we deal with ourselves.

Are we reliable, fair, and honest?

Remember Gail Halvorsen—he did not have to drop candy to those children. He was not ordered to do it—and no one would have noticed if he just flew by and only dropped the supplies he was given.

So why did Gail Halvorsen drop the candy? He did it because he knew it was the right thing to do. That’s what integrity looks like—taking action that aligns with your values, no matter the circumstances.

And finally, respect:

Respect is the foundation of service in the military. You learn to respect not only your fellow servicemembers—but also the people you serve and the communities you protect. I had the opportunity to serve alongside many amazing Americans. We all came from different backgrounds, had different religious beliefs, were different genders, and all faced difficult moments in life.

The ability to respect someone completely different from you is a trait that has built America’s military into the best in the world.

At Potomac, respect means treating your classmates, teachers, and everyone in your life with kindness and understanding.

It’s about listening to others—and recognizing that everyone has value. Our ability to respect each other is also what makes Potomac the best.

Veterans like myself, Gail Halvorsen, and so many others served because we believed in something bigger than ourselves. We embodied courage, integrity, perseverance, humility, and respect—and you don’t have to wear a uniform to live by these values.

You can show them every day—in your classrooms, with your friends, in your homes, and in your communities.

So today—on Veterans Day, let’s remember the big sacrifices veterans have made—but let’s also think about the small acts of service that we can do every day—just like the Berlin Candy Bomber.

Thank you for letting me share my story, and thank you for honoring those who have given so much for all of us.