FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – On Thursday, Nov. 7, nearly 90 second grade students from Colonel Johnston Elementary School put on a Veterans Day program for family and friends to celebrate service members.
The students were excited to learn the six service songs and other patriotic songs they performed during the program.
“The students started practicing the songs six weeks ahead of time,” said Heather Clay, second grade teacher. “The students would ask to sing the songs and would ask “is it time to practice?” They were super excited about it.”
Before performing for their family and friends, the students did a rehearsal performance in front of the other students at the school. Clay said the rehearsal was a good learning experience for the students and allowed for changes before the performance for parents.
“The dress rehearsal set the stage for what the performance would be like,” Clay said. “We had a little hiccup because our color guard, the Cub Scouts, are kindergartners and they are not able to carry the flags, so we had to quick make a switch. It’s always good to do a dress rehearsal.”
The program began with a posting of the colors by Soldiers from the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, the national anthem performed by Master Sgt. Kurt Legnon, the singing of We Celebrate America and reading the poem Take a Moment to Thank a Veteran.
Following the opening, students came up to the microphone to give the history of the creation of Veterans Day. The students then sang the six service songs. Veterans and service members were asked to stand and sing along during the playing of their service song.
“Seeing the parents with so much pride and them participating and singing their service songs was really neat,” Clay said.
The students sang two more songs before the playing of taps. The program concluded with a student salute to the veterans and service members in attendance.
“This program is a highlight for us,” Clay said. “It’s a huge highlight for us to be able to celebrate the military.”
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Electronic Proving Ground, Joint Interoperability Test Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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