By: Guadalupe Monarrez
On Wednesday June 20th, Corporal Burt Richards was recognized for his effort to instruct students in Palm Beach County schools about the importance of war education. The School Board meeting, which took place at the Palm Beach School District headquarters in West Palm Beach, distinguished Richards with the recognition for his “Honoring Those Who Served” educational program.
The program, “Honoring Those Who Served,” features war veterans reminiscing about their war experiences with students. Recently, Cpl Richards alongside two other war veterans, Sergeant Tom DeCicco and Master Sergeant Michael Kelsey, hosted the program at Boca Raton Middle School in remembrance of Memorial Day.
Cpl Burt Richards, who founded the Veterans Speakers Forum of Palm Beach County, is responsible for creating a campaign to approach the Palm Beach School District about closing schools on Veteran’s Day. He was successful and November 11th, 2011 became the first Veteran’s Day that Palm Beach County schools were closed for students. Currently, Cpl Richards hopes to close schools for teachers as well.
In an effort to have schools closed, Cpl Richards hopes students will take the day to truly honor those who have served.
“It is important for Palm Beach students to be educated on war history and about those service men and women who kept them safe and free,” said Richards, “and to have an opportunity of visiting a Veteran’s event on the special day of November 11th.”
With the founding of the Veterans Speakers Forum, Cpl Richards was able to prove to educators the need for military service personnel to speak with all students regardless of race, creed, or color.
To contact Cpl Burt Richards for his educational programs, call (561)734-7263 or at pr.group@juno.com.