Applause filled the library as veterans walked through a victory line made by the Sparkers, High Hats, and cheerleaders. Student who work at Subway smiled and greeted all the vets with a sandwich, and the choir sang the National Anthem in honor for all those who served to protect our country.

“I appreciate our vets and their service that they gave and the love they bestowed on us,” English teacher Margret Thomas said.

Thomas coordinated the 3rd annual Veterans Luncheon in honor of her father and all those who have served.

“My dad was a World War II veteran,” Thomas said.  “Once he passed away a couple years ago I decided to do something.”

Thomas teamed up with former principle Dr. Andre Smith and created a celebration that would honor the faculty.

“Anytime you can have a celebration and have people who fought for our country getting our children involve, it’s just wonderful,” Thomas said.

Though the tradition began when Smith was here, Meekins wanted to uphold the tradition. Veterans Day is a very important in principle Carlos Meekins’ household, as well.

“My father was in the marine corps, and my mother was in the army,” Meekins said. “My brother is currently in the army,”

Meekins was thrilled by the idea of giving back to his faculty that served the country.

“Sometimes their service goes unnoticed and most veterans don’t talk about what they did and where they served,” Meekins said. “This is a great opportunity for the high school to acknowledge the contributions of those who work at the school  and school district and acknowledge their service that makes our country great.”

Duncanville Mayor David Green served in the Army for 6 years as the hospital administration before taking on the role as mayor.

“I wouldn’t miss any opportunity to honor those who served our county doing what they did, I just wouldn’t miss it,” Green said.

Mayor Green walked table to table personally thanking the vets who served.

“It’s so easy to forget but we wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the vets,” Mayor Green said. “Many of them gave their lives. The people who are here today in the school system, they sacrificed to do what they did to give us a free country and be here today to celebrate it.”

Being a veteran, Mayor Green understands the sacrifices that were made.

“I am proud to be a veteran,” Mayor Green said. “I am proud of what I did for my country.”

English teacher Medger Roberts joined the Navy to  follow in his fathers footsteps. 

“It felt like the right thing to do and having the opportunity to give back made sense,” Roberts said.

The owner-operator of the Subway franchises in Duncanville, Allen Conley, donated Subway sandwiches for all the veterans.

“The way I look at it is this is,” Conley said. “I serve sandwiches and these people serve their country and they have given a great sacrifice. The icing on the cake is that they continue their service working in schools.”

13 students that work for Conley were invited to the luncheon to pass out sandwiches.

“I wanted them to witness it because they are not old enough to fully appreciate the sacrifice their teachers made,” Conley said. “Its great to show this type of respect.”