TIPP CITY — Today, a Miami County bus driver thought he was just representing his district at a Veterans Day event, only to find out he is the veteran being honored.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., Dal Donley is known by his elementary school kids in Tipp City as Mr. Donley.
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Before getting the title of bus driver, he spent 26 years in the Navy.
Now he makes sure kids get to and from school safely.
“I enjoy the kids,” Donley said.
On Wednesday, Mr. Donley was invited to Veterans Memorial Park for a Veterans Day Ceremony, thinking he was just there to represent the school district.
But in reality, one of his fifth-grade students, Siara Mehta, shared an essay she wrote about Mr. Donley.
“Mr. Donley worked hard throughout his Navy career. He enlisted as a sailor and rose through the ranks as a lieutenant commander,” Mehta read from her essay.
Each year, fifth-grade students at LT Ball Intermediate School write an essay about a veteran for Veterans Day.
The top two finalists read their essays at the ceremony.
Mehta told News Center 7’s Taylor Robertson that she was nervous to speak in front of so many people, but wanted to make sure Mr. Donley knew he was appreciated.
“I would like to say thank you to him and all of the other veterans who are serving our country,” Mehta said.
Donley said he’s talked with many of his students about his service, but Mehta is the first one to sit down with him and interview him about it.
“That did bring tears to my eyes; I didn’t expect anything like this,” Donley said.
The appreciation for Mr. Donley didn’t stop there; Mehta showed up with a goodie basket for him to take home after the event.
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