U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Corbin Messner, left, is pictured Friday with U.S. Army Private Wes Morris, a current Bellefontaine High School senior. (BCS PHOTO)
Bellefontaine High School students and staff paid a special salute to service members during a Veterans Day assembly Friday morning, Nov. 10.
Corbin Messner, a 2011 BHS graduate, and current BHS senior Wes Morris shared their military stories to several classes in the auditorium.
Private Morris enlisted in the Army last summer, then completed boot camp. He will begin his full service shortly after graduation in May.
He talked about his motivation to serve our country.
Staff Sgt. Messner detailed for students and staff his journey to becoming a Marine.
After attending Bowling Green, Messner quickly discovered that college was not his path. He then showed interest in the Army, but eventually enlisted in the Marines.
Staff Sgt. Messner has been serving for nearly 11 years. He’s a highly-trained aviation technician.
Most recently, Staff Sgt. Messner has served as a Marine recruiter in the Newark area. Now he works in downtown Columbus.
The BHS graduate encouraged current students to explore the many global opportunities the military offers young adults.
He said the Marines sparked his professional and personal growth.
Messner was a good student at BHS and also competed in wrestling and track, but admittedly didn’t stand out in high school. He credits the military and its training for changing his life.
Finally, the U.S. Marine said that Veterans Day is a time to remember and thank current and past service members. He said every military member is making a sacrifice to be away from family and friends while protecting our freedom.
Service learning teacher Rick Reed organized the assembly.
