Milton Hershey School Memorial Day Assembly Honors Those Whose Courage Cost Everything
On Friday, May 23, the Milton Hershey School community gathered in solemn reflection in Founders Hall Auditorium to honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom. This annual assembly has been held for 71 years, serving as a powerful tribute not only to all fallen service members but also to the school’s own heroes—MHS Gold Star Alumni, graduates who gave their lives in service to the nation. The event stands as a poignant reminder of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of those who served.
MHS Senior Vice President of Education and Student Life Dr. Freda Martine welcomed the community, reminding everyone of how the Gold Star Alumni embodied the school’s Sacred Values. She urged the audience to never forget their selfless service and of all those who have and continue to serve faithfully on our behalf.
“The Gold Star Alumni went above and beyond to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to mission,” Dr. Martine stated. “This is the same service-centered mindset that the men and women of our armed forces display day in and day out.”
The Senior Division Spartan Concert Band was joined by guest musicians from the Mr. Good Band of The Hershey Company to present two musical selections before MHS Coding and Drone Teacher Michael Slatt gave his keynote remarks.
Slatt, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major, used this speaking opportunity to help the audience connect with the deeper meaning behind Memorial Day and explore ways to honor fallen heroes in their everyday lives. He shared about his own experience as a Marine and reflected on what MHS students currently understand about the holiday. Most powerfully, he spoke about his friend, Josh, who was killed in Afghanistan while defending the freedoms we enjoy today, bringing a personal and heartfelt perspective to the day’s remembrance.
“Memorial Day isn’t just the one day I honor those like Josh,” Slatt stated. “It’s when I question whether my life and the decisions I make honor their sacrifice. The void their deaths left means I need to work harder in mine.”
Each year during the Memorial Day Assembly, the MHS community honors the legacy of a Gold Star Alumnus by sharing their story. This year, the spotlight was on Warren Bolden ’40. Warren and his brother enrolled at MHS in 1935. In 1941, he answered the call to serve and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Three years later, in December 1944, his unit fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most pivotal conflicts of World War II. At just 23 years old, Warren Bolden was killed in action.
As the names of all 57 Gold Star Alumni were read and their pictures were displayed, the MHS community stood in solemn silence, moved by the powerful reminder of the courage and incredible sacrifices these individuals made.
Following the Memorial Day Assembly, seniors participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Hershey Cemetery. Student Government Association students also placed flags around Founders Hall, paying tribute to the brave individuals who lost their lives in service to the United States.
Learn More about MHS Gold Star Alumni
Watch the 2025 Memorial Day Assembly
