Sussex Tech honors generations of veterans

Cold War veteran Donald Hirneisen, 88, spoke proudly of his high school graduation at a Nov. 9 Veterans Day assembly at Sussex Tech.

“I graduated June 6, 2018, right here at James H. Grove Adult High School, with a 91 average,” he said.

Hirneisen served in the Army from 1947-49, mostly in Yokohoma, Japan. He was hunting elk and mule deer in Colorado when he learned Sussex Tech planned to honor its veterans.

“Serving was a wonderful experience, and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.

Principal John Demby introduced Vietnam War veteran William Demby, his godfather and hero. William told students about the day in March 1971 when a rocket hit the truck he was driving.

“I slowed down over a bridge so I wouldn’t rock the guys in the back,” he said. “That’s when the rocket hit. There was smoke in the truck, and I told my lieutenent my legs were blown off.”

William put tourniquets on his own legs.

He said his life flashed in front of him. He thought he was going to die until a calm feeling overcame him, and he knew he would survive.

“But I didn’t know what I would deal with when I came home,” he said.

William said Vietnam veterans at the time were considered alcoholics and drug addicts. As a basketball star who dreamed of a sports career, he sank into depression.

“I started to get drunk, got high, and I lost 10 years of my life. I thought no one cared, and I didn’t care about myself.”

Demby said when he realized there was more to life than getting high, he had to make a tough choice for a serviceman.

“I had to leave some people behind,” he said. “But you can’t help anyone until you help yourself.”

He got clean and entered college, proving wrong a high school counselor who told him he was not college material. Years later, he was asked to speak at his alma mater’s graduation.

“I asked for my counselor,” he said. “I showed her my diploma. After I told her where she could put it, I told students not to let anyone steal their dreams. I am living the dream. Life is a game. To win the game, you have to play. Stay off drugs and alcohol. Get in there and fight.”

William has since competed as a wheelchair athlete in marathons and 10K races. He worked with the U.S. Veterans Administration and DuPont to develop new prostheses that allow amputees like himself to play stand-up basketball.

He told students to take care of their own.

“If you see someone not doing well in class, don’t leave them behind. Help them,” he said. “My mother told me, when you find the ladder of success, remember to reach back and pull someone with you.”

After students gave William a standing ovation, his godson John told students, “Every veteran you encounter paid a cost so folks like us get to go to school and learn, and not worry about our freedoms being taken from us. You see a veteran, you hug a veteran and say ‘thank you.’”

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons said, in the past, returning veterans were not always treated well.

“We may be different parties and backgrounds, but what makes us special in Delaware, Sussex County and Georgetown is that we work together.”

Coons continued, “Our veterans did not seek honor; they sought to serve their country. American veterans persevere, they persist, they serve. We are free because of the hard work and sacrifice of our veterans.”

Tech JROTC student Cadet Lt. Col. Rebecca Lenhart spoke about veterans’ sacrifices.

“All veterans took time away from their friends, family and loved ones to protect your friends, family and loved ones,” she said. “Most, if given the chance, would serve again.”

Sussex Tech Superintendent Stephen Guthrie said every veteran attending was a graduate, employee, or a relative of a student or staff member.

“They put their lives on hold to preserve our freedoms and way of life,” Guthrie said. “Without our veterans, we wouldn’t have our right as Americans to choose our leaders.”

Guthrie said his father was a Marine. “He learned honor, respect and discipline. He felt his success in life was due to his military service. He viewed it not as a sacrifice, but a source of pride.”

State Reps. Ruth Briggs King, Timothy Dukes, Harvey Kenton and David L. Wilson were also in attendance as well as Karen McGrath, Sussex County regional director for U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.