Gardnerville Elementary School students salute, high-five and fist-bump the honorees during the Veteran’s Day ceremony on Wednesday.
On the count of three, Gardnerville Elementary students said “Thank you for you for your service” to more than a dozen veterans during the school’s 20th annual Veteran’s Day ceremony Wednesday.
“We know how to honor veterans here at GES,” said Gardnerville Elementary school fifth-grade teacher and ceremony coordinator Heather Daniels. “Every year I am reminded of the wonderful staff and students who help make this event great.”
The ceremony started with an appreciation breakfast and coffee for the veterans before they lined up in the hall and students saluted, high-fived and fist-bumped the honorees on their way to the auditorium.
The theme of the ceremony was honor and the students and staff put on an event to show just how honored they were of the men and women who have served in the United States military.
“I thought it was really heart-warming the kids still do what I did as a kid and to see the men and women who have come before me and those that come after,” said U.S Air Force pararescue Will Richards.
During the ceremony, students read Devin Scillian’s “H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet,” and students sang “Grand ’Ol Flag,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Daniels shared the symbolism of the “Missing Man Table,” which was set up at the front of the auditorium, the history of the Flag and the official military song of remembrance, “Taps.”
“It was sweet and touching to see all the kids honoring us,” said Marie Corps linguist Destiny Perkins.
The veterans were given books written and illustrated about honor by students at the school from kindergarten to fifth grade.
“It’s always fun to see what honor means to our little ones and I can see by the smiles on your faces that you feel the same,” said Daniels.
In the back of the auditorium a group of fifth-graders held up signs that read, “thank you veterans,” “Happy Veteran’s Day,” “Free,” “thank you Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Airforce for keeping us safe.”
“These group of kids made those signs all on their own, without being asked,” said Daniels.
The group called themselves the Country Club. It is a club made of fifth-graders that spread kindness throughout the school and community, helping out where they can.
“It was extremely touching,” said Airforce aviator manager Ruby Barrington. “I really appreciate all the efforts and kind words and the signs the kids made were just so heartfelt.”
Daniels said the best part about the ceremony is one, honoring the veterans, but most importantly teaching the students what that means.
“The best part is teaching kids about who veterans are and to not forget they are all around us and not just on Veteran’s Day.”
