The elementary school hosted a breakfast and short program to honor veterans, and students were able to hear from World War II veterans, Vietnam War veterans, Korean War veterans and more.
“I think it’s great,” Bill Rowan, a Vietnam War veteran from New Richmond said. “It shows us that they teach the kids to honor the veterans.”
Students at the elementary school created patriotic drawings that were displayed in the cafeteria, many thanking the veterans for their service, and some students were also involved in the ceremony.
Thomas Moore, a sixth grader, and Archer Maguire, a fifth grader, both read poems to the veterans that helped describe what they do for the country. The fifth and sixth grade chorus also performed songs during the program.
“Our veterans were more than just soldiers, they were and still are heroes,” Maguire read from the poem “Heroes,” by Jared Jenkins.
Other students were able to reflect on veterans day as they ate breakfast with parents and grandparents who served, and are serving the country.
Andrew Baldrick, a 9-year-old, who came to the breakfast with his grandfather Bob Sons, a Vietnam veteran, said veterans day means that people should honor those who risked their lives for us. He said coming with his grandfather makes him to think about everything he did for the country.
Kylie Cornette, an 8-year-old, also came to the breakfast with her grandfather Lindsey Kirby, a Korean War veteran. She said the breakfast is fun, but also it is a time to celebrate the veterans.
The breakfast was the first of three this week to honor the veterans at New Richmond elementary schools. Breakfasts were scheduled at Locust Corner Elementary Nov. 9 and Monroe Elementary Nov. 10, both at 7:30 a.m. A Veterans Day program was also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at New Richmond Middle School.
“I think this is the greatest thing that this district does this,” Carl Martineck, a US Navy veteran, said about the New Richmond Exempted Village School District veterans programs. “This doesn’t happen at other school districts.”
In addition to the school programs, a ceremony will be held at the memorial on Susanna Way in New Richmond at 5 p.m. Nov. 11.