Student's Veterans Day services: Several area schools pay tribute to those who risked everything for their country Tuesday

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Rayma Silvers/Tribune Photo St. Mary's Catholic School students read some of the names on Skubitz Plaza's Veteran's Memorial Tuesday following a performance for local veterans and residents.

Schools in the local area were overflowing with patriotism on Monday and Tuesday, as students, staff and faculty took a break from their regular lessons to express their heart-felt thanks to area Veterans.

Both Winfield Scott Elementary and Eugene Ware Elementary offered their appreciation to Veterans with musical performances of patriotic songs such as "God Bless America," the National Anthem and "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Veterans from various branches of the armed forces gathered in the two gymnasiums to receive overwhelming praise from the students.

In addition to the patriotic performances, students also sang the theme songs for each of the branches of the military. As they sang, the Veterans who had served or who are currently serving in the specific branch being sung about at the time stood with pride. In conclusion, at Winfield Scott, local resident Jerry Witt played "Taps" while those assembled at the school stood reverently with hands over their hearts.

Fort Scott Middle School's Veterans Day program also attracted many Veterans from the local area. After the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and the Pledge of Allegiance, the seventh- and eighth-grade band students performed a patriotic piece for event attendees. FSMS students Paige Denton and Hannah Frederickson each read their original essays "Why Should American Veterans Be Honored." The two girls expressed to the crowd several reasons Americans should pay tribute to its Veterans.

After reading a poem by Eugene Ware, Superintendent of the Mine Creek Battlefield Arnold Schofield introduced Jim O'Brien the speaker for the event. O'Brien stressed to the students the importance of having the freedom to be educated.

"Freedom is a great thing in this country," O'Brien said. "We honor Veterans every year, but each and everyday you can show us honor by being here (in school). Don't forget, your freedom came at a price."

Local resident Steve Harry concluded the program with a rendition of "Taps."

Fort Scott Christian Heights also honored Veterans on Tuesday morning. After FSCH principal Terry Chance played "God Bless America" for the students during chapel, he let the students hear a recording about the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. Next, Chance talked to the students about the American flag. He explained the flag is not just a piece of cloth, but rather something that resembles our country. At the conclusion of the chapel service, the students and staff gathered around a large flag and prayed.

While many area schools conducted in-house assemblies, inviting members of the armed forces both past and present to join the celebrations conducted at the schools, students from St. Mary's Catholic School went out into the community to honor local Veterans. The first stop for the school's students was a local restaurant. However, these students did not have eating on their minds. Instead, they entered McDonalds to say "thank you" to the many Veterans who frequent the establishment each morning. The restaurant was standing room only as the students kindergarten through fifth grade sang several patriotic songs for those in attendance.

Upon completion of their mini-concert, the students loaded their school bus and headed for the Veteran's Memorial on Skubitz Plaza. After performing several musical numbers, the students along with their parents and grandparents took a few minutes to explore the memorial. Many of the children were able to locate the names of family members or friends whose names are engraved on the memorial wall.