Each year, U.S. citizens give back to veterans and military members. But on Friday, Nov. 7, Arrowhead Elementary School partnered with a local Marine to give a student a very amazing Veterans Day.
Bryson Stevens, an Arrowhead Elementary student with special needs, hadn’t seen his big brother and hero for several weeks due to military training in Spokane. However, as the training ended on Thursday, Private First Class Mathew Stevens did everything he could to make it back to the assembly for his brother.
“Mathew just loves his brother,” said Laura Stevens, Bryson and Mathew’s mother. “He’s exhausted. [Mathew’s] literally been up since four o’clock in the morning yesterday morning, so he’s just running on adrenaline right now.”
After three months of training and more than 24-hours of no sleep, nothing would stop this warrior from being there for his brother.
“He said ‘no, I’m going to go home and [I’m going to] put on my uniform and be there for my brother,’” Laura said.
So with less than three hours of notice, Arrowhead Elementary School staff members started to hustle and bustle to get things organized for this very special surprise. With little time left, they did everything they could to pull it off.
“That was so sweet. I don’t think we’ve gotten to have that [and] it’s pretty amazing,” said Kelly Webb, music teacher and assembly organizer. “It helps to show that peoples’ lives that we know are impacted by people being at war and being in the service. I think it helped make a connection to those other kids.”
As Mathew walked up the aisle towards the front of the assembly, a hush came over the expectant crowd. Hugs were had all around and Bryson’s smile was wide.
“You don’t think about it day-to-day, but then you come and see this big celebration towards military people and to the service of our country and it just makes you feel humble,” said Craig Wild, husband to Arrowhead’s office manager. “When I saw him, I recognized immediately that he was a PFC in the Marines. And, you know, it is just a piece of what you read about. It was right here in front of you.”
As for Mathew Stevens, he was just happy to be there for Bryson, to give his little brother something special from his favorite veteran.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing my brother,” Mathew Stevens said.