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."
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