Anthony Wayne High School held its Wall of Honor recognition program near Veterans Day, honoring alumni who served in the U.S. military and featuring a keynote address by Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Brian Rosick of the 180th Fighter Wing.

Principal Burke opened the ceremony by thanking the Anthony Wayne band and choir and organizers who helped stage the event. "The Wall of Honor is more than names put on a wall. It represents courage, sacrifice, and service beyond self," Principal Burke said, and introduced the program's order: a keynote, a band salute, the announcement of inductees and a closing choir performance.

Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Brian Rosick, an Air National Guard leader with ties to the Anthony Wayne community, told students he was speaking about veterans and his own path. "I'm not here to sell you on the military. I'm not here to enlist you in the military. We're here to talk about veterans," Rosick said. He described a 28-year career that included Air Force special operations, deployments to the Middle East and other countries, service as a firefighter and paramedic, and his current role helping run the 180th, where he said the base is responsible for "the lives of 1,100 people" and must keep personnel organized, trained and equipped.

Rosick recounted family military history and early service choices that led him into special operations aviation and later to the Ohio Air National Guard. He discussed operational duties — including deploying to Kuwait and Baghdad and participating in missions supporting other special operations forces — and said the Guard's aerospace control alert is part of the base's everyday national defense mission.

Addressing students directly, Rosick urged civic participation whether or not individuals join the military. "You don't have to join the military. I'd love to have you at the military. We've got spots at the 180th. $50,000 bonuses right now. Just saying," he said. He added that service can take many forms: volunteering, civic engagement or teaching. He encouraged students to ask veterans in their families to tell their stories on Veterans Day.

Following the keynote, Principal Burke read the names of inductees added to the Wall of Honor. The program listed alumni from multiple classes and service branches, including Ernest James Davis (1958, Air Force); James Young (1958, Navy); Gary Bjork (1961, Air Force); David Bluntz (1964, Army); Terrence Huebner (1964, Army), who was identified in the program as killed in action in Vietnam in 1969; Dwayne Graves (1965, Army); William Hayes (1966, Army); Lawrence Studer (1978, Air Force); Debbie Hertzfeld Pantel (1979, airport service as read); Joseph Perkins (1982, Marines); Leanne Thomas (1987, Navy); Don Thomas (1987, Navy); Peter Smith (1992, Air Force); Randy Meade (1999, Army); Joshua Garrity (2002, Army); Christopher Popioniak (2013, Marines); Jake Cope (2024, Marines) and others.

The Anthony Wayne High School Close Harmony Choir closed the program with a performance of "God Bless America." Principal Burke thanked Rosick, school staff and volunteers and invited inductees and their guests to remain for photos after students were dismissed.

The ceremony combined historical recognition with a message about public service and community involvement, and it included named acknowledgments of staff and volunteers who organized the event.