Second grade hosts Veterans Day celebration at FH school

By Joan VaseyNovember 17, 2015

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Construction paper artwork in patriotic colors decorates walls in one hallway at Colonel Johnston Elementary School and honors those who serve in the military. The kindergarten through second grade students made the decorations for Veterans Day in re... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Nearly 330 students at Fort Huachuca's Colonel Johnston Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day Nov. 10 with the six second-grade classes hosting two special programs in the school cafeteria.

According to Danielle Weinberg, second-grade teacher, students spent more than one month preparing for the program presented to the kindergarten and first-grade classes during school hours followed later by an evening performance honoring all military parents.

"The students spent a lot of time preparing for the program," Weinberg said. "A lot of thought and effort by all second-grade teachers and students [went into the production]."

This year, the six second-grade classes paired up into three groups. All performers wore matching shirts tie-dyed in patriotic colors.

The second-grade students also partnered with a language arts honors class from Colonel Smith Middle School here. Teacher Amy Sullivan brought the middle school class to the morning performance in support of the second-grade performers.

Members of the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard presented the colors for the two performances which included a welcome by Weinberg, a recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance," an invocation and a song. Four second-grade students gave the history of Veterans Day, then classes recited three patriotic poems and sang patriotic songs commemorating Veterans Day and saluting military service. Next, the audience observed a moment of silence during the playing of "Taps." The programs lasted about 40 minutes and ended with a recitation of the "Military Children's Creed," followed by a salute to each branch of service and songs honoring America and welcoming Service members home.

Following the morning program, Jennifer Truit-Lewis, Johnston school principal, said the children seemed very excited about the program and anxious to perform again that evening.

"There was a great [parent and student] turnout," said Suzi Sanchez, school registrar. "The performances were awesome. We are really proud of our second graders."