Howland High School proudly hosted its annual Veterans Day Assembly on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans and their families. This year’s program highlighted the connections between military service and the Howland community, as veterans with direct ties to district students and staff were honored.
The district was honored to welcome Petty Officer First Class Christian Cogar as the event’s keynote speaker. A native of Wellsville, Ohio, Petty Officer Cogar has served in the United States Navy for the past 12 years, specializing in survival equipment and safety operations. His deployments to the Persian Gulf, South Pacific and the Red Sea reflect his dedication to protecting his fellow service members. Beyond his military service, Petty Officer Cogar is a valued mentor within the Howland community, known for engaging with students during lunch and participating in community programs such as the Salvation Army “Angel Tree” initiative.
The assembly also recognized the service of several additional veterans connected to Howland students and staff:
Corporal John Elias (United States Marine Corps) – Father of teacher Amanda Dewberry, grandfather to Juliana and Alivia Dewberry; served in Vietnam as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Special Force Technical Infantry.
Technical Sergeant Danielle Wiesen (United States Air Force) – Mother of Madison Conrad; served for six years in Aircraft and Aerospace Maintenance with deployment to Djibouti.
Master Sergeant Matthew Nunemaker (United States Air Force) – Father of Rilee Nunemaker; firearms instructor with 19 years of service and multiple deployments.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Thomson Sr. (United States Navy) – Father of teacher Shannon Stevens; served aboard the USS Vancouver for three years during the Vietnam War.
Master Sergeant Andrew Mathews (United States Air Force) – Father of Mason Mathews; served 22 years with deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan, Qatar and Iraq.
Master Sergeant Jennifer Mathews (United States Air Force) – Mother of Mason Mathews; served 20 years in Security Forces with deployments to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Staff Sergeant Anthony Keppol (Army National Guard) – Father of Marlena Keppol, he has devoted the past 17 years to military service, including a deployment to Kuwait.
Lance Corporal Aaron Pounds (United States Marine Corps) – Howland Girls Varsity Basketball Coach and district maintenance staff member; served for eight years as an 0311 infantryman.
Sergeant William Eggens (United States Marine Corps) – Grandfather of John Whitacre; served four years specializing in infantry and weapons with deployments across Europe, Cuba and Okinawa.
Master Sergeant David Pivovar (United States Army) – Great uncle of Audrey Rickard; served from 1994 to 2025 as an Infantry Paratrooper, C-130 Aircraft Mechanic and Education/Training Specialist, including an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment.
Senior Master Sergeant Paul Boothe (United States Air Force) – Father of Ava and Ethan Boothe; served 27 years in the Inspector General-Readiness Division. He served in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and played a vital role in the Global War on Terrorism. Among his most memorable experiences was flying the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Master Sergeant Nelson Irizarry (United States Air Force) – Father of Nathaniel and Isabella Irizarry; served 26 years specializing in Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems. In 2008, he proudly served during a notable deployment to Southwest Asia.
Read their full biographies here.
View the assembly slideshow here!
Howland High School extends a sincere thank you to the individuals and groups who made the ceremony possible:
Mrs. Capan and Mr. Borawiec for organizing and coordinating the assembly.
Mr. Semrau & the Honors Choir and Mr. Rezabek & the Symphonic Band for the outstanding student musical tributes.
Mrs. Graf and her students for preparing desserts for our visiting veterans.
Mrs. Lipokovich and her students for making thank you cards for our celebrated veterans. Her class also made care packages that will be delivered to other area veterans.
Cortland Subway and the Rudesill Family for generously providing lunch for our honored veterans.