ENON, OH — September 22, 2026 — Students, veterans, active-duty service members and community members came together Friday, September 18, at Greenon Local Schools for a Silent Watch to raise awareness of veteran suicide and honor those who have served.
Throughout the morning, participants stood silently at the campus flagpoles in 22-minute shifts. Students joined veterans and community supporters in the watch, creating a powerful visual reminder of the importance of supporting veterans and bringing awareness to the challenges many veterans face following their service.
What began as an organized school event quickly grew into something larger.
As veterans and community members arrived and saw the Silent Watch taking place, several began making phone calls to other veterans and friends, encouraging them to come to the Greenon campus and participate. More people continued to arrive throughout the morning to take their place at the flagpoles.
One moment in particular left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. During her 22-minute watch, a woman’s legs gave out as she stood at the flagpole. Determined to complete her watch, she regained her footing, stood back up turned toward the flag, saluted and said, “To all those who have gone before me.” She remained at her post for the full 22 minutes.
Event organizer Cathy Turner said moments like that demonstrated the deeper meaning behind bringing students and veterans together for the event.
“The student and veteran participation in Greenon High School’s Silent Watch was truly profound,” Turner said. “As our students stood alongside veterans, they experienced firsthand the meaning of military brotherhood and the deep bond shared by those who have served our country. It was a powerful and unforgettable lesson for our students. Silent Watch is about much more than standing for 22 minutes. It is about honoring sacrifice, remembering those who served, supporting one another and understanding the lasting bond shared by members of the military community.”
The Silent Watch took place during morning arrival and dismissal times on Greenon’s K-12 campus. Families, staff and students moved respectfully through the area as participants stood in silence. Adults took the opportunity to explain the meaning of the watch in an age-appropriate way to younger students, allowing students across grade levels to understand what was taking place and why it mattered.
Greenon Junior/Senior High School Principal, and Purple Star Liaison, John Jewell said the response from students and the community made the event especially meaningful.
“I was incredibly proud of the respect our students showed throughout the morning,” Jewell said. “Our younger students were asking questions, our older students were participating, and our community members were stopping to support the effort. Seeing veterans reach out to others and invite them to join us showed just how deeply this message resonated. It was a great reminder that sometimes the most impactful lessons happen outside of the classroom and simply come from giving our students the opportunity to see, reflect, and ask questions about something bigger than themselves.”
Greenon Local Schools is proud to be recognized as a Purple Star School, demonstrating the district’s commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. The Silent Watch was one of several efforts at Greenon designed to recognize military service, build understanding among students and strengthen connections with veterans and military families in the community.
The district thanks every student, veteran, service member, family and community supporter who participated in or respectfully supported the Silent Watch.