BHS students invite veterans for breakfast to honor their service

BERNALILLO — Friday morning at Bernalillo High School served a plate of patriotism with a side of bacon and eggs.

For the second year in a row, the school held a breakfast for more than 30 veterans, who were invited by students. The event came just a few days after the community honored Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

“A lot of the students’ families were war veterans, so they understand the critical importance of service — service to your community, to the nation, and, ultimately, the sacrifice,” Benito Levario Jr., assistant principal of BHS, who is a U.S. Navy veteran. “I think it’s important our students see the rich history behind that.”

The breakfast, catered by Garcia’s Kitchen, included tables covered in cloth and specially folded napkins inside the school’s auxiliary gym. The BHS band performed the Star-Spangled Banner before the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Later on, the students placed customized pins on the veterans.

While Levario Jr. believes joining the military may be the “ultimate” form of service, the fact that the students organized the event is also a form of service.

“It’s a beautiful turnout,” he added.

Levario Jr. said even though the breakfast was not held on Veterans Day, he hoped the retired service members used the occasion to tell stories and share their background.

Some veterans, he said, are still “making a sacrifice,” even if it’s not in uniform.

“(They’re) struggling with whatever they still need support with. I think this (breakfast) is part of a support system,” Levario Jr. said.

At one table, BHS senior Mariah Sedillo invited her grandfather, Jose Austin, a retired Air Force veteran, to breakfast.

“It was an obvious choice,” Sedillo said of the decision to have Austin join her. “I love spending time with Grandpa. Spending the morning (with him) that I usually wouldn’t get is nice.”

Austin, 86, said the breakfast reminds him how old he is.

But on a serious note, it’s “nice to be with my granddaughter.” Austin called Sedillo beautiful, adding that “she’s getting to be very smart.”

“She’s going to high places,” Austin said.

At another table, Gracie McCloskey, a BHS junior, hosted her great-grandmother, Mirian Suazio, a retired Army private.

“She’s just my little grandma. She enjoys getting out and about,” McCloskey said. “We (students) just want to show our support (for veterans), and we’re glad they did what they did.”

Suazio said the breakfast made her “proud of my time in the service.” She added she said she is trying to convince her great-granddaughter to sign up.

“Maybe,” McCloskey responded with a smile.