OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It was a day to pay homage to the nation’s military personnel, and Marion County Public Schools held its 19th consecutive Veterans Day presentation, “Honoring All Who Served,” at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.
The opening comments were made by Kevin Christian, MCPS director of public relations, who thanked the veterans in attendance.
“We’re so excited to have almost 2.000 students with us today from 23 different schools,” said Chrisitan. “We’re honoring those who have and continue to represent our country and preserve our freedom. Thousands of veterans call our community home, and we are blessed to have them right here in Marion County, for many of our students they’re connected with the armed forces because of these veterans who are family members, people who have served or are serving today.”
As a nation of more than 340 million people, we can recognize and thank the nearly 16 million veterans still living today, including more than 1.5 million living here in Florida, said Christian.
“Currently, 1.3 million men and women serve our country around the world in the United States Armed Forces, and another 765,000 serve in the seven reserve components,” said Christian. “Today, it is our privilege to say thank you to all of America’s veterans, to let you know we appreciate you for your service and honor you for your sacrifices. The price of freedom is high. We can’t and we won’t forget those willing to pay them. Today, we celebrate America’s veterans, for truly keeping our country the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
It’s “a true honor to stand before you today, as we gather today to celebrate Veterans Day, a day of gratitude, remembrance and reflection,” said Dr. Danielle Brewer, Marion County Public Schools interim superintendent.
There are 263 veterans working for the Marion County Public School district.
“In Marion County, we take great pride in our deep roots of service and sacrifice. Our community is home to thousands of veterans, men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform, with courage and integrity, said Brewer. “On behalf of Marion County public schools, to every veteran, every active service member and every military family represented here today, your commitment to our country reminds us of the values we strive to instill in our students each and every day, honor, perseverance and service to others. Our schools are not just places of learning, they’re places where citizenship is built, when our students stand for the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, when they study our nation’s history, or they hear the stories of local veterans, they’re connecting with something larger than themselves. They’re learning what it means to be a part of a free nation, one protected by your sacrifice.”
The veterans’ legacy lives on through the students, said Brewer.
“You have given them the gift of freedom, the opportunity to learn, to dream and to build a brighter future,” said Brewer.
Sharon Flowers is a U.S. Army veteran with an inspiring story. She joined the Marion County Public Schools last year, teaches exceptional students at Harbor View Elementary School, and was the veterans’ speaker at the ceremony.
Flowers grew up in North Carolina, and dreamed of going to college. She was accepted at the schools she wanted to attend but was faced with the challenge of how she was going to pay for it. Her parents were immigrants and couldn’t afford the cost; however, she made a decision that would change her life. Flowers enlisted in the Army Reserve to help pay for school. After basic and advanced individual training, she realized she loved the military. Flowers switched to active duty and spent the next eight years serving as a clinical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist.
Her military career had her stationed in Texas, South Korea, Kansas and Washington.
During her time in the Army, Flowers learned a great deal, about leadership, respect, loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, integrity, courage and the importance of giving everyone a second chance to succeed.
“When I became a sergeant, I had anywhere from four to 12 soldiers under my care as I walked up the leadership ladder quickly and became a squad leader before becoming a team leader,” said Flowers.
As the months progressed, Flowers was given more responsibilities and duties. She learned that each person is different, and needs support in their own way, and that lesson stuck with her.
Now she is a teacher working with students who have autism or are developmentally delayed, and just like in the Army, Flowers has found that patience, understanding and encouragement go a long way.
“Everybody is different and every student teaches me something new. Every day I come work with the Army values and instill that into my work,” said Flowers. “No student deserves a teacher who only has half a heart in the classroom, and I will go all the way for the needs of my students.”