Medal of Honor recipient Allen J. Lynch and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Stephen C. Evans will address students during a “Salute to Veterans” assembly at East Aurora High School on Monday, Nov. 2. All East Aurora High School students will attend the invitation-only event which begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Kivisto Gymnasium, 500 Tomcat Lane.

The ceremony will open with a welcome from East Aurora Principal Anthony Crespo and a presentation of colors by the East Aurora High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, the largest high school NJROTC unit in the country. Jim Cornelison, well known for singing the national anthem at Chicago Blackhawks games, will sing the Star Spangled Banner.

The families of four East Aurora graduates who were killed in the line of duty will be honored during the event. Family members of Marine Cpl. Sara Medina, Marine Lance Cpl. Jesse De La Torre, Marine Lance Cpl. Edwardo Lopez and Marine Lance Cpl. Hector Ramos will be present.

The family of Medal of Honor recipient Walter E. Treumper, the only East Aurora High School graduate to earn the nation’s highest military honor, will be honored, as well.

The East Aurora High School band, choir and drill team will perform at the ceremony, which is expected to last about one hour.

About Allen J. Lynch

Lynch was born in Chicago, and grew up in Indiana. He earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action” during the Vietnam War.

On Dec. 15, 1967, Lynch rescued three wounded soldiers while serving as a radio telephone operator. Lynch ran across 50 yards of open ground while drawing fire to aid the wounded soldiers. When his company was forced to withdraw, Lynch stayed with the three wounded soldiers, defending his position for more than two hours with only a rifle and a hand grenade. He then carried the wounded soldiers to a secure area across 70 yards of open territory, while drawing fire.

After his service, Lynch returned to Illinois, where he worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Rights Bureau.

Lynch will be introduced by East Aurora High School senior Cadet Captain Jennifer Cepeda, student leader of the East Aurora NJROTC.

About Rear Admiral Stephen C. Evans, USN

Evans is the Commander of Naval Service Training Command. He has made numerous deployments, including: the Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean, North Atlantic and Western Pacific Areas of Operation. He earned the Battle of Excellence Award in every ship assigned.

Evans’s awards include the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Gold Stars, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars, the Joint Achievement Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and the Article 5 NATO Medal.

Rear Admiral Evans will be introduced Lt. Lauren Carthan, Commanding Officer of the East Aurora High School NJROTC.

SOURCE: School District 131 news release