Veterans’ war stories give students a view of military service

Against a backdrop of flags representing the branches of the military, about two dozen local veterans shared their stories of service with students at Mariners Elementary School on Monday morning.

The Newport Beach school kicked off its annual Veterans Day celebration a day early, inviting grandparents and parents to come speak about their experiences in conflicts ranging from World War II to Operation Desert Storm.

“We want to take this opportunity to teach our children about what it’s like to serve in the military,” said parent Teresa Hlista. “It makes it relatable and brings it to their level when they’re able to see it in person.”

After about a half-hour reception and performances by the school choir, the veterans visited classrooms so students could ask questions.

Robert Lamer visited his grandson’s sixth-grade class. He served during the Cold War – about a 45-year period after World War II marked by tension between the then-Soviet Union and the United States.

He told the group of 11- and 12-year-olds that, unlike today, it once was common to go into the military after graduating from high school.

After six years in the Air Force Reserve, he switched to the Army so he could travel to Europe, he said.

“By the time I got to Germany, the situation with Russia had all died down,” he said. “I was very lucky. It was a two-year paid vacation, and I learned a lot.”

Dave Nance was a sergeant in the Army during Desert Storm (also known as the Persian Gulf War). He shared stories about his time in the Middle East and explained that serving in the military is more than fighting.

He set up communication centers in Saudi Arabia and was tapped to help with a mission in Iraq that lasted 10 hours. It was the only time he was in combat during his tour.

“We had more people get hurt playing rugby in the hallway than in combat,” he said of his unit.

Nance’s daughter Jourdan,12, said she was initially nervous to have her father speak in front of her class but was excited to hear stories that her dad had never shared before.

“I didn’t know the military could actually be that fun,” she said.