A thick fog provided the backdrop to Tecumseh High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps’ (AFJROTC) early morning Veterans Day Flag Raising ceremony at Tecumseh High School on Nov. 11, 2015. After the raising of the colors, AFJROTC advisors, Major Doug Couch and Master Sergeant Antonio Ruiz, spoke to students and guests about the history of Veterans Day and how the contributions and sacrifices made by U.S. veterans and their families make freedom possible in the United States. AFJROTC members then presented each Veteran with a gift and led other guests in personally thanking each Veteran for their service.
Before attending the reception following the Flag Raising ceremony, Air Force veteran, Mrs. Ruth Keller, commented how much she valued the appreciation shown by the AFJROTC students. In speaking of Mrs. Keller, sophomore and AFJROTC member, Miss Jessica Perkins, remarked, “It means a lot to know she and the other veterans are here and support us. She is a role model for me because I know I will be going into the Air Force when I’m older.” Major Couch and MSgt. Ruiz noted how Veterans Day programs are important because they “honor the service of our veterans” and “instill gratitude, a link to history, and a sense of pride in military service for AFJROTC students.”
Tecumseh Middle School’s Veteran’s Day program began with the AFJROTC Color Guard’s Presentation of Colors ceremony and a video featuring the photos and service information of U.S. veterans provided by middle school students. Students and guests then enthusiastically welcomed keynote speaker, Mr. John Priest, who is both a Marine Veteran and Tecumseh High School Graduate. Mr. Priest spoke about his military career and the importance of always taking pride in one’s self. The program was brought to a close by Tecumseh Middle School’s Sixth Grade Choir singing a medley of U.S. Armed Forces songs; veterans were invited to stand during the theme representing their branch of service. WWII veteran, Mr. Dewey Brosey, commented afterwards how moved he was by the program, “Everything they did brought back a lot of memories…a whole lot of memories. It’s really important to have this program too, because kids need to know what happened a long time ago.”
Tecumseh Local School District’s Elementary schools also held Veterans Day programs.
Park Layne Elementary school’s program sought to “honor all who have served our great country.” Principal Karyl Strader welcomed veterans, students, and community members before speaking to kindergartners and first graders about the importance of Veterans Day. The New Carlisle Community Chorus led attendees in singing “The Star Spangled Banner” before performing “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Park Layne Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. McBride, surprised students when she spoke about her “other job” as SSG Angie McBride of the Army National Guard. SSG McBride also told students of her love of the USA and reminded the children to not take an education for granted. Park Layne’s first graders sang “America” before the program concluded with a video entitled “Thank you, Veterans!”
At Donnelsville Elementary, veterans enjoyed a short reception before joining students and community members to watch the AFJROTC Color Guard open the formal program with the Presentation of Colors. Veterans were gifted with homemade placemats created by Donnelsville students. Students sang a medley of Armed Forces songs and invited veterans to stand during the theme representing their branch of service. The program ended after third graders took turns reading aloud the letters and poems they wrote expressing gratitude to the veterans for their service. Veterans were invited to stay afterwards and visit classrooms in order to answer students’ questions about their military service and to read patriotic and military-themed stories to the children.
New Carlisle Elementary opened its Veterans Day celebration with a reception where students and veterans enjoyed refreshments together and took group photos. The formal program began with the Presentation of Colors ceremony performed by the Tecumseh AFJROTC Color Guard. Students sang “God Bless the USA” and two student speakers presented “What It Means to Be a Veteran.” New Carlisle Elementary School’s program ended with the Armed Forces Medley, during which veterans were invited to stand during the theme representing their branch of service.
