Local elementary students learn importance of Veterans Day
Published 10:00 am Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Several veterans from the Capron community and beyond were present at the school’s Veterans Day program on Monday. Front row, from left: Donnie Whitfield, Ernest Claude, John Edward Fox, David Easterling, Samuel Parker, William Poole, David Warren and Earl Warren; and back, Sam Rawlings, Calvin Ricks, Ernest Bryant, Paul Simmons, Pete Jarratt, Trent Fox, Ellis Cobb, Emerson Burgess, Lee Bustin. — SUBMITTED
CAPRON
Students at Capron Elementary school took part in a Veterans Day program for the first time on Monday morning, celebrating and thanking those who are serving or have served in any branch of the military. With their parents and the faculty gathered, the children recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang songs, such as the National Anthem, for the 17 veterans in attendance.
The assembly did not last long, but Principal Dr. Allison Francis said that there was a lot of emphasis placed on the event.
“Getting ready for the program, the kids have been asking tons of questions,” she said. “Seeing that we’ve never hosted a Veterans Day event, we really wanted to use this as an opportunity to teach them what it’s really about.”
Despite their unfamiliarity with the day of remembrance, Francis said that the students were excited to put on a show for the veterans.
“Each grade, Pre-K through fifth grade, prepared an additional song with our amazing music teachers. Can you believe the children practiced those songs for only two weeks?” said Francis. “They were great.”
Francis, as well as keynote speaker Pastor Nancy Palmer, hope to teach students what it means to serve the country and how important it is to honor veterans. Palmer taught the children a brief lesson on the the history of Veteran’s Day.
“Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day marks the anniversary of the end of World War I,” said Palmer. “The agreement to end fighting went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, which is why we celebrate Veterans Day on different days of the week every year.”
Palmer then asked several questions to gauge how well the students understood the different branches of the military. When asked to name something associated with the Army, the children mentioned everything from tanks to bombs, and were quick to name the pattern affiliated with the branch — camouflage.
“Each school tries to do something for Veterans Day, and we’re going to make it a yearly thing. We’re going to get the students and the teachers involved,” said Francis.
“We have to make it a point to thank those people who risked their lives for our freedom.”
