May 21, 2026
A tradition for J.E.J. Moore Middle School and the Prince George community continued as the school held its annual Memorial Day Tribute ceremony to honor fallen United States service members on Thursday, May 21, 2026, days before the national holiday.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr
For 14 years, J.E.J. Moore Middle School’s annual remembrance ceremony has served as an important tradition for the school community, offering a time to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives while serving the country.
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Among those honored each year is Captain Jesse A. Ozbat, whose legacy continues to hold a special place within the Moore community. A member of the U.S. Army’s 168th Brigade Support Battalion, Captain Ozbat was killed in Afghanistan in 2012 during an improvised explosive device attack that also took the lives of fellow soldier Tobias Alexander and an interpreter accompanying the unit.
Radiant blue skies served as a backdrop for this year’s event, featuring musical selections from the J.E.J. Moore Royal Band conducted by Mr. John Redling and the school’s full-year choir and PAAS program students, directed by Ms. Lauren Swisher.
This year’s event featured keynote speaker Mr. Eric Johnson, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army who continues to support the military community through his work as director of research and program evaluation at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. Speaking to students, staff, veterans, and guests, Johnson encouraged attendees to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day and remember the service members throughout the nation’s history who gave their lives in defense of American freedoms.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr
Prior to the flag ceremony, Jamie Westbay, a former L.L. Beazley Elementary School librarian and friend to the Ozbat family, presented a $3,230 check to The John Randolph Foundation to sustain the Honor Above All Scholarship. The fund was created in Ozbat's memory to support students pursuing higher education after high school. Since its creation, the scholarship has awarded $25,000 in funds to 17 Prince George County students.
One of the ceremony’s most moving moments came as Moore students Hailey Squilla and Noah Gum read aloud the names of fallen Prince George County servicemembers dating back to World War I. With each name spoken, the school’s honor detachment carefully placed an American flag within the memorial garden in tribute. As a gentle breeze moved across the gathering, Moore student Jason Branch performed “Taps” from just beyond the gardens, the solemn notes echoing across the audience and serving as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice carried within the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of remembering those who gave their lives in defense of freedom.
To learn more about the Captain Jesse Ozbat "Honor Above All" Endowed Scholarship, visit The John Randolph Foundation website at https://johnrandolphfoundation.org/scholarships/.