Indian Lake Elementary students celebrated their loved ones Friday by honoring veterans with a Veteran’s Day celebration and assembly.
Prayers, poems, readings, songs, a flag raising and a clap-around were among the activities to show servicemen and women students’ appreciation of their sacrifices.
Principal Jeff Reprogle said he appreciates the chance to honor veterans.
“We like to make sure our young kids do (this),” he said. “We’ve all been looking forward to celebrating them (veterans) and letting them know we appreciate their service.”
Reprogle said it’s about history.
“History-wise we understand the importance of service and community,” he said. “They gave us the rights we have today … It’s important for our students to understand the history of it and understand the sacrifices these people made for our freedoms.”
Another bonus, Reprogle mentioned, is that students love to show off their loved ones.
Principal Molly Hall said she was happy so many veterans and their families could come to the event.
“Today is an opportunity to honor service members and most importantly to say thank you,” she said. “As an elementary (school) we teach our students about the nation’s history. The idea of freedom takes on a whole new meaning when they see (veterans’) faces.”
“God bless you and your families,” Hall said to a cafeteria full of veterans. “God bless our troops and God bless America.”
Second grader Joshua Phillips said he enjoyed the event.
“It’s good celebrating Veteran’s Day,” he said. “It’s really fun.”
Donald T. Willis, army special forces veteran, said he thinks the Veteran’s Day event at the school is great,
“I’m very grateful for this school district,” he said. “It’s wonderful. Here we have very respectful and smart students.”
Tom Roberts, navy veteran, said he loves the event.
“The clap-around is the best,” he said.
Terry Tallman, air force veteran, liked a different aspect of the school event.
“There’s a comraderie that goes between veterans that seems to be a loss in touch with today’s society,” he said. “This really gives kids something to look at (and) something to think about other than video games.”