On Friday, 800 American Patriots, young and old, gathered on the beautiful campus of Jupiter Christian School to pay tribute to those who have courageously served in our Armed Forces. Veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard were recognized and honored for their dedicated service to our great country at the 16 th Annual Veteran's Day Ceremony, "One Nation Under God." Jupiter Christian students from preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school showed their gratefulness through singing, giving speeches, playing instruments, reciting original poetry and in many other ways. They also expressed appreciation for and prayed for those currently on active duty with the military. The crowd was inspired by the address of Vietnam Veteran and Jupiter resident, Tom Getz, and the Benediction offered by the 2002 Veteran of the Year and JCS co-founder, Roy Rood.

Captain William Scoville was awarded the Veteran of the Year Award. Captain Scoville was born in 1922 in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from GreenMountainJunior College in 1942. Upon graduation, Captain Scoville then enlisted in the Naval Aviation Cadet V5 Flight Program that July. His flight training was held at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, and upon completion, Captain Scoville opted to become a 2 nd Lt in the Marine Corps as opposed to becoming a US Navy Ensign. When Captain Scoville completed his training, he was assigned to Marine Air Station, Mojave Desert, CA during 1943 as a 1 st Lt. He was then stationed and attached to New Hebrides in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a fighter pilot flying Corsair fighters. Corsairs were known for their lightweight and speed and maneuverability and the military designation was F4U, a very difficult aircraft to master. He was then attached to Espiritu Santons, a Marine Air Group that was south of Guadalcanal. He successfully flew over 80 combat missions during that period and completed 21 missions over the Philippines during the War. From the Philippines, Capt. Scoville then returned to the United States at completion of WWII. On a lesser known fact, Capt. Scoville was known for his stature throughout the Marine Corps as being the "Shortest Naval Aviator" at 5'3". A distinction he truly loves and is proud of.

Capt. Scoville was awarded many distinctions to include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal 3 awards, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic and Pacific Action Ribbon, and Marine Corps/Navy Overseas Ribbon. However, as you'll see, he only wears his Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and Philippine Liberation Medals.

Capt. Scoville presently resides in Tequesta, FL and spent 30 years working for Pratt Whitney in the Military Division as a Technical Rep for Military Bases and retired in 1983. He was previously married to Virginia Milliot and has four children, they are all currently in the area as well. At 85 years young, he is still as spry as ever and can be found all over the area staying in tip top shape.

All left the service with a renewed appreciation for those who have served to preserve the freedom we all cherish. JupiterChristianSchool was founded in 1963 and offers pre-k through 12 th grade.