Military Veterans are the silent heroes that keep our nation safe, and Jesuit High School Sacramento is lucky enough to count several Veterans among our faculty and staff.

Campus Chaplain Rev. Francis Stiegeler, S.J., who served as an Army ranger for five years, at the border of Germany and for two years, and at the border of North Korea for two years, believes it is important to recognize the brave people who have served.

“[For] a lot of the vets who risked their lives, it was a matter of luck that they came home,” Fr. Stiegeler said. “They were risking their lives for us back home, and they stood between us and those who would harm us.”

Math teacher Mr. Keegan Smith, who is currently serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the California Army National Guard, is grateful for the meaningful relationships the Army provides.

“My time in the military has been incredible,” Mr. Smith said. “Being an Army aviator and officer has allowed me to train with incredibly talented soldiers, travel around the world, and be part of a community that is deeply rooted in honor and tradition.”

Mr. Smith also believes that his time in the military has helped him build character and become a better person.

“I feel a sense of purpose and drive knowing that the work I perform matters to the community, state, and nation,” Mr. Smith said. “I would not be the person I am today without the experience I’ve gained through the military.”

Fr. Stiegeler honors those who have served each day, out of gratitude for the risks they have taken.

“[In] one of the great movies in WWII, a soldier gives his life for another soldier and the dying soldier says ‘live a life worthy of my sacrifice,’” Fr. Stiegeler said. “To me, I have tried to do that everyday, not just on Veterans Day. They put their lives on the line so that we can do a better job of realizing those American ideals.”

Veterans have sacrificed aspects of their life to serve in the military, and the sacrifice that they and their families went through deserve recognition. The next time you meet someone who has served, show your appreciation to them for their sacrifice to protect us.

The Plank keeps all of our veterans and their families in our thoughts and prayers today and every day, especially for Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane Barnes ’07 and his family.