Schools Pay Tribute to Our Veterans
By Julie Mathie-Cross
Many of North Canton’s public schools celebrated Veterans Day on November 10th and 11th. The Mary L. Evans Early Childhood Center celebrated during both the AM and PM sessions. All invited Veterans received a red carnation before they were seated in the gymnasium. The students entered the gym carrying U.S. flags and wearing red, white and blue headbands they had made.
The first song sung by the students was ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag’, followed by ‘My Country ‘tis of Thee’. Students practiced these songs for the past month. The gymnasium wall was decorated with hand-colored flags, patriotic hearts and “Thank you Veterans” notes.
Invited guest Ron Feltz sang the National Anthem, then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Following a thank-you to Miss Steepleton’s class for the decorations and Mrs. Luikart’s class for reciting a poem, the students sat by their honored guest. Veterans from WWII to present day military guests attended the celebration. The veterans included fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, relatives or friends of the students. Upon leaving the ceremony, each guest received a copy of a poem entitled ‘Our Country’ by Vivian Gouled. Veteran Steve Gregory later commented “This was the nicest thing I have attended since retiring from the Army 35 years ago”.
The Orchard Hill commemoration included a short program of musical selections sung by the students, as well as a flag-lowering ceremony. Students worked hard to honor the veterans by writing about the holiday and displaying their thoughts on “bricks” located on the classroom doors.
At Clearmount Elementary School, the hallway leading to the gymnasium was decorated with hand-made murals depicting each war. Following the Presentation of Colors by the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, Autumn Browning shared an essay she had written. Nadiea Schick led the Pledge of Allegiance. The students used sign language when signing ‘God Bless the USA’ by Lee Greenwood and ‘Thank You Soldiers” by Michael and Angela Souders.
Principal Matt Ile spoke about a book called ‘I Love You Dan, Good Night’. The author, Matt Patron, is a Perry High School graduate. Seventeen copies of the book were purchased for each classroom in the school, and veterans were asked to stay and sign each copy. A moment of silence was followed by the playing of taps by High School student Joel Coblentz.
These school celebrations throughout our community have undoubtedly left a lasting memory for the students, and given them a better understanding of the sacrifices made by our veterans.
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