28 DECEMBER 2022 By Melissa Hirschl Experiencing history through the perspective of a seasoned veteran can be eye-opening and even life-changing. Brophy junior Iain Lanphier, president of the Veteran Heritage Project (VHP), had that opportunity when he recently interviewed 79-year-old Naval war hero Captain Larry L. Ernst, a Vietnam veteran. During the interview, Iain said he was captivated by awe-inspiring stories of bravery and fortitude and those describing the challenges of being in the Navy. Iain was also enlightened about the facets of Ernst’s exemplary career: his status as a naval aviator, Top Gun instructor and last commanding officer of the Midway aircraft carrier. “There is no doubt I was seated across from a great man, pilot, and leader during our time together,” Iain reflected. VHP’s mission is to connect high school students with veterans to honor them and learn more about America’s history. Students interview veterans, take photos and put them in a book each year. The books are then sent to the Library of Congress. Through his association with the VHP, Iain heard about and entered an essay contest sponsored by Honoring America’s Veterans, a nonprofit organization that hosts the Phoenix Veterans parade each year. The title of his essay was “Liberty, Honor and Sacrifice,” which was the theme of this year’s parade. Iain compiled his thoughts about the interview with Ernst and won the contest, receiving a $250 prize. “The organization’s goal is to honor veterans, preserve American heritage and develop future leaders,” Executive Director Paula Pedene said. “We are looking at the time and effort the students put into focusing on veterans, the wars they fought in, and their hardships. The parade we put on is another avenue to provide a way to honor and recognize our veterans; they tell us it means so much to them, and it helps them heal.” According to Pedene, the essay contest is offered to high school students throughout the U.S. and is based on a different theme each year, such as “Waving the Flag of Freedom” and “Freedom Isn’t Free.” An excerpt from Iain’s essay provides a window into his thoughts: “The sacrifices by veterans and their families that enable liberties often go unrecognized. There is the ultimate sacrifice of death in the line of duty, personal safety, time with loved ones, personal comfort, and even silence as some veterans cannot share their experiences.” “I’m glad I was able to bring attention to veterans and their service,” Iain said. “We want to see veterans as real people and reflect on their vital role in society. This contest allowed me to achieve these goals, and I feel incredibly grateful for having won.” Iain’s career goals parallel Ernst’s: serving in the military as a pilot. “Following graduation, I plan to pursue university with a military service academy,” he said. “I am also exploring universities with ROTC programs and aeronautical engineering majors.” honoringamericasveterans.org or veteransheritageproject.org Showcasing America’s heroes through essay contest For his winning essay, Brophy junior Iain Lanphier interviewed Vietnam War Navy veteran Larry Ernst. PHOTO COURTESY OF IAIN LANPHIER CALL US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME SPRAYNET.COM 480.508.9780 CALL US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME SPRAYNET.COM 480.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. ALUMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDOWS There’s painting. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. Save up to 75% of replacement costs! A S S E E N O N OUR PROMISE FACTORY FINISH QUICK & COST-EFFECTIVE NO SURPRISES SUSTAINABLE The Spray-Net product is an incredible paint & so reasonably priced at a fraction of the cost of new siding or brick! – FRANK S. NO-PEEL WARRANTY Factory Finish Done in as little as a day Affordable solution No-peel warranty Sustainable CONVENTIONAL PAINTING REPLACEMENT Save up to 75% of replacement costs! A S S E E N O N OUR PROMISE FACTORY FINISH QUICK & COST-EFFECTIVE NO SURPRISES SUSTAINABLE The Spray-Net product is an incredible paint & so reasonably priced at a fraction of the cost of new siding or brick! – FRANK S. NO-PEEL WARRANTY Factory Finish Done in as little as a day Affordable solution No-peel warranty Sustainable CONVENTIONAL PAINTING REPLACEMENT Save up to 75% of replacement costs! A S S E E N O N OUR PROMISE FACTORY FINISH QUICK & COST-EFFECTIVE NO SURPRISES SUSTAINABLE The Spray-Net product is an incredible paint & so reasonably priced at a fraction of the cost of new siding or brick! – FRANK S. NO-PEEL WARRANTY Factory Finish Done in as little as a day Affordable solution No-peel warranty Sustainable CONVENTIONAL PAINTING REPLACEMENT CALL US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME SPRAYNET.COM 480.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. ALUMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDOWS CALL US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME SPRAYNET.COM 480.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. ALUMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDO CALL US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME SPRAYNET.COM 480.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. ALUMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDOWS US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME YNET.COM 480.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. UMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDOWS TIFY YOUR HOME 0.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. L · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDOWS TIFY YOUR HOME CALL US TO BE NOW BEFORE ALUMINUM · V There’s painting. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. MELAMINE · LAMINATE · WOOD · THERMOFOIL CALL US TO BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME SPRAYNET.COM 480.508.9780 There’s pain ing. There’s replacing. And now, there’s Spray-Net. ALUMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO Save up to 75% of replacement costs! A S S E E N O N OUR PROMISE FACTORY FINISH QUICK & COST-EFFECTIVE NO SURPRISES SUSTAINABLE The Spray-Net product is an incredible paint & so reasonably priced at a fraction of the cost of new siding or brick! – FRANK S. NO-PEEL WARRANTY Factory Finish Done in as little as a day Affordable solution No-peel warranty Sustainable CONVENTIONAL PAINTING REPLACEMENT Whether it’s for the exterior of your home or kitchen cabinets, Spray-Net delivers the convenience & affordability of conventional painting with a factory finish that looks & lasts like it came off the assembly line! Why just paint or replace it. When you can Spray-Net it? BEFORE BEFORE NOW NOW MELAMINE · LAMINATE · WOOD · THERMOFOIL · ALUMINUM · VINYL · BRICK · FIBER CEMENT · ENGINEERED WOOD · STUCCO · DOORS & WINDOWS ROC #340851

watch video