Honoring Service and Sacrifice | News | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island

(L-r) David Wilson, James Merkel, Brittany Semco, Hugh Richardson and Ryan Walker.

On the eve of Veterans Day, the School gathered for a thoughtful and moving assembly dedicated to honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Abbot Michael opened the program with prayer, offering intentions for active service members, their families, veterans everywhere and alumni currently enrolled in military academies.

The assembly was organized and hosted by mathematics teacher, Col. Bryndol Sones, Ph.D., who presided in his Army dress uniform. After the National Anthem played, as students placed hands over hearts and veterans rendered a salute, Dr. Sones reflected on the personal moments that shaped his understanding of military service: from witnessing the Iranian hostage crisis and the events at Kent State in 1970 to his own deployment in Iraq. He reminded students that the story of service is both deeply personal and woven into the history of the Abbey itself: founder Fr. Hugh Diman once served as an ambulance driver during World War I.

A panel of faculty and staff then shared their perspectives on service, sacrifice and what Veterans Day means to them.

David Wilson (Science Department), a 13th-generation Quaker, described the tension between his family’s pacifist tradition and the military history within his own household: his father an Army captain and doctor, his uncle a medic. He spoke of honoring the service of his family members from the “Greatest Generation,” while holding onto hope for a more peaceful world.

James Merkel (Business Office), a former active-duty and current reserve member of the U.S. Coast Guard, discussed his service as a radio operator in Guantanamo Bay and his deployments to the Arctic and Asia. Now in intelligence, he encouraged students to think broadly about service, whether through the military, college or other forms of public commitment—and to make decisions thoughtfully, not hastily.

Brittany Semco (Communications Department), a civilian, shared remarkable stories from her own family: a grandfather who once built a road using bioluminescent coral; relatives who piloted aircraft in World War II and Vietnam; and a family scientist for the U.S. Army, whose research on heat stroke helped inspire modern-day sports drinks like Gatorade.

Hugh Richardson (Athletics Department), who served as an Army officer from 1961 to 1967, recounted a career shaped first by ROTC at Lafayette College and later by officer training at Fort Benning. He earned a Ranger tab in 1961, served with the 27th Infantry, and worked in Civil Affairs in Vietnam, liaising with local populations after U.S. operations. His story underscored discipline, duty and the central importance of teamwork.

Ryan Walker (Art Department), a civilian, reflected on the emotional power of the flag, recalling the moment his grandfather, who served in World War II, cried as it was raised at his middle school. For him, the flag represents the ideal of service to others, a theme echoed in his family’s multigenerational military history.

Students asked thoughtful questions, from how public attitudes toward service shifted between World War II and Vietnam to lessons learned in the Coast Guard. Panelists emphasized adaptability, attention to detail, teamwork and the need for empathy when navigating conflict. In a poignant moment, Mr. Walker asked students to consider what might truly bring an end to war, suggesting that listening and understanding might be the beginning of any answer.

The program concluded with a solemn Roll Call as Abbot Michael read the names of Portsmouth Abbey alumni who lost their lives in service to the nation. The room fell silent as “Taps” played, offering a final tribute to their sacrifice.

In gathering as a community, the Abbey invited students to consider the values at the heart of service: courage, humility and the responsibility to others.

Col. Bryndol Sones, Ph.D.