School Veterans Wall Connects Students to Military Families
Students at Ascension Catholic School in north Minneapolis learn about relatives who served through a Veterans Wall started three years ago.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Secondary Education
A 7th grader at Ascension Catholic School learned that his great-grandfather, Frank Nelson, served as a Marine in the Vietnam War. The discovery came through the school's Veterans Wall, which features relatives who are still serving, retired, or deceased.
Why it matters
Assistant Principal Etosha Kemp started the Veterans Wall so students could see that their families served. The program gives Minneapolis students a direct, personal connection to military history.
The Veterans Wall has operated for 3 years and includes relatives who are serving, retired, or deceased. Sixth grade teacher Justin Williamson served 5 years in the Navy, and the source does not state how many families are represented.
The players
Ascension Catholic School
Ascension Catholic School is a Catholic school in north Minneapolis that runs the Veterans Wall and related classroom programming.
Etosha Kemp
Etosha Kemp is an assistant principal at Ascension Catholic School who started the Veterans Wall to help students see their families' service.
The details
Noah's mother told him about his great-grandfather's military service after he found Frank Nelson's photo on the Veterans Wall. Classes visit the wall as a field trip, where students share who is pictured and what that person means to them. Students also made Veterans Day cards that were delivered to a VA hospital.
Timeline
Three years ago: Assistant Principal Etosha Kemp started the Veterans Wall.
Vietnam War era: Frank Nelson served as a Marine.
Veterans Day 2026: Students delivered Veterans Day cards to a VA hospital.
Season Trajectory
Veterans Day, observed each November 11, has long prompted schools to recognize military service through ceremonies and letters. The Ascension program extends that annual observance into a continuing, classroom-based practice tied to students' own families.
Families in Minneapolis who have relatives who served can ask their children's schools whether similar recognition programs exist. Students may also hear firsthand family military stories through classroom visits like those at Ascension.
The takeaway
Asking students to bring a family member's service into the classroom can turn a holiday into a personal lesson in history. Schools considering a similar wall can start with a single photo and a conversation with families.
Further reading
Explore more secondary education coverage from across Minneapolis schools.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
