Centerburg school superintendent's military record inspires small-town patriotism

CENTERBURG – Centerburg's celebration of patriotic pride this weekend holds special significance for Centerburg Local Schools Superintendent Mike Hebenthal.

Hebenthal, who completed three tours of duty in the Middle East as a U.S. Air Force officer, says the festival could help the country heal after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"You always see small towns coming together around the Fourth of July to celebrate our country and what we stand for," Hebenthal told the Mount Vernon News. "It's a time to recognize our past and celebrate our freedoms."

Hebenthal pays special attention to supporting military families who have children in the Centerburg Local School system. The school is designated as a Purple Heart School District, noted in a personal letter he posted to the school website (core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/ uploaded_file/1030794/Purple_Star_Letter.pdf).

"Our staff has received training to help your child as they deal with their mom or dad not being home every day," he stated in the letter. "This means we recognize the sacrifice of our military and stand ready to help those who serve."

Personal experience with his deployments taught Hebenthal the value of outside support when a mom or dad is absent, away serving the country. During his first tour of duty, all four of his kids were elementary-school-age or below. He said he recognizes the burden his wife carried as a military spouse.

"In many ways, it's harder," he said. "My life was on me. I knew what I had to do every day. She had to continue as a mom and a dad and take care of all the stuff here."

Hebenthal credits his military experience with instilling the value of education, and he pays it forward through school service and the annual Memorial Day celebration he helps organize. He believes both Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations can even help heal the political divide.

"I think what patriotism can do is at least get you to recognize you have a shared history," he said. "Maybe we can put the politics away for a little while and just recognize we all live in the same area. And, you know, we can be friends, even though we disagree. I think more towns need these things."