A Challenge and a Poem to Celebrate Veterans Day 

Last Friday, Foxcroft celebrated Veterans Day by recognizing the over 30 members of our families and community who are veterans. We also had the honor and pleasure of hearing retired Rear Admiral Scott Burhoe of the United States Coast Guard, who is also a Foxcroft Trustee, speak about Veterans Day, offer a challenge to our students, and then share a poem that he had written.
Rather than talking about his own extensive and impressive military service — from Executive Officer and Alternate Captain of the Port, Coast Guard Station New London, CT and Commanding Officer, Station Fort Lauderdale, FL to Group Commander, Sandy Hook, NJ and Assistant Commandant for Governmental and Public Affairs at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC — Rear Admiral Burhoe spoke of his admiration for young cadets like Xavier, the brother of Marley F. ’24, whom Burhoe met while serving as the tenth President of Fork Union Military Academy. Xavier is now a junior at Virginia Military Institute (VMI). “He and others like him make up the service,” offered Burhoe. “They’re the reason that I ended up spending 34 years on active duty; I enjoyed being surrounded by these young people who are drawn to service.”

“So here's my challenge,” proposed Burhoe. “The next time that you see or meet a veteran, it's okay — and I think it's actually very nice — to say thank you for your service. But what I want to encourage you to do, is to have a safe conversation with that veteran. Ask him or her a couple of questions. They might be: What were your favorite moments about being in the service? What were your struggles? What was it like to transition from civilian life to military life? What was it like to transition from being in the military to being a civilian?”

Rear Admiral Burhoe then shared his poem, much to the delight of all in attendance — especially the Hounds. You can read the poem in its entirety below or listen to it in the video shared with this article.

From all of us at Foxcroft, thank you Rear Admiral Burhoe, not only for your service to our nation and our School but also for sharing your time and talent with us last Friday!

Veterans Day 2021 at Foxcroft School
by Scott Burhoe, Rear Admiral, USCG, Retired

In front of 100+ young women, 
an old man, 
an aging veteran,
has 5 minutes to share his thoughts about that day. 
 
Will he inspire service? Or inspire understanding to this next generation? 
 
Thanking veterans is a start, 
Conversations with veterans – the beginning. 
 
Our nation calls young people into harm's way.
Conflict and war continue inside and outside our continent.
America requires selfless service to preserve the common good. 
 
Today in America you may serve, you may not serve.
That choice is provided by those called to service. 
 
That Freedom of choice, that common good,
is yours to cherish, if you choose.
Happy Veterans Day, Foxcroft. Go Hounds! 
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.