Steve Bowersox has been a history teacher at Westminster High School for seven years, but it was the specific history of a 1941 Westminster High graduate that piqued his interest in World War II veterans -- and ultimately led to a presentation he'll share with the community this week at the Carroll Arts Center.

As part of the curriculum in Bowersox's class, students read the book "Ordinary Americans," which discusses "regular" people who struggled during the war.

One of the people in the book is Mary Speir, who lived in Westminster.

Her son, Hugh Speir, was president for the Class of 1941 at Westminster High -- and was killed during the war.

The book notes that Spear was accused of being unpatriotic because she didn't fly the American flag -- until she noted that she had donated the flag to her son's high school.

That story inspired Bowersox to research Westminster High's yearbooks and newspapers to create a list -- more than 500 people -- who attended the school and participated in the war.

He also performed research at the Historical Society of Carroll County, and gathered more than 150 photos and other information -- which he then turned into a powerful, PowerPoint presentation.

"A Pictorial Tribute to the World War II: Veterans of Westminster High," will be presented to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. The program is free.

Throughout the halls of Westminster High School, posters depict the faces and stories of many Westminster graduates who served in the war. Bowersox said their stories stretch to every field of battle in WWII, from Pearl Harbor to D-Day.

Many died in action and others have since passed away, but Bowersox said as many as two dozen surviving soldiers from Westminster are expected to attend the Nov. 5 presentation to see their stories reflected.

Members of the community are invited, too, to help supply some of the details about soldiers depicted in the program so that it can be updated for future viewings.

The event will also include a performance by the Westminster High School Jazz Band and the school's chorus.

Bowersox said he's thrilled that the program will draw Westminster's veterans for a moment or two of appreciation.

"It's a way to give back a little for all their sacrifice; for all they've done," he said.

But he's equally happy that students and veterans will have a chance to interact.

Always a teacher at heart, he said his hope is that the project "is a way of making things real for the students."

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