On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, students and staff from across Christian Unified Schools gathered at Shadow Mountain Worship Center for our Veterans Day Celebration. Superintendent Bob Ruhlman opened with welcome and prayer, and the CHS Patriot Marching Band called the room to order with “Cadence.” CHS history teacher Michael Folsom, a US Army veteran, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The CHS Chamber Singers sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the CJHS/CHS Combined Choir performed “Song for the Unsung Hero,” with Jackie Abernathy accompanying and Henry Noles on trumpet. As the choir sang, a slideshow played photos of servicemen and women submitted by Christian Unified families. CJHS science teacher David Thivierge, a US Navy veteran, gave the patriotic reading “Old Glory.”

























Mr. Ruhlman then introduced keynote speaker Chad Williams. Days before he reported for duty, Williams watched news coverage of his mentor, Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being killed in an ambush in Fallujah. He followed Helvenston into the SEALs, finishing training as one of 13 from a class of 173, and served five years on SEAL Teams One and Seven. He tells the story of his conversion in his book SEAL of God. After the keynote, the combined choirs and the Patriot Marching Band performed “Salute to the Armed Forces,” under band director Brooks Robinson and choir director Amanda Devlin. Principal Betsy Saffer closed with remarks and the benediction.












We also honored seven CUSSD staff members who served: Patrick Bugg (US Navy, Information Systems Technician), Jennifer Cuellar (US Navy Reserve, Hospital Corpsman), Michael Folsom (US Army, 301st PSYOP), Joel Kinong (US Army, 301st PSYOP), Bill Smith (US Army, Chaplain’s Assistant), David Thivierge (US Navy, Navy Diver with Explosive Ordnance Disposal), and Dennis P. Tucker Jr. (US Air Force, Missile and Space Operations). Families who want to honor their service can give to the Christian Patriot Fund at christianunified.org/giving, which supports Christ-centered education at Christian Unified Schools in San Diego.
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