SAVANNAH, Ga.- Students from Pulaski Elementary School, located just outside the gates of Hunter Army Airfield, were excited as they filed into the school auditorium for the Veterans Day program, Nov. 12. Many would be part of the one-hour event sponsored by "Operation Caring Classroom," a nation-wide program organized by the Armed Forces Foundation to teach children about Veterans Day.
"They're excited about the special visitors from the military and Congressman Barrow's visit," said Nicole Purdy, the Pulaski Elementary School counselor. "Many kids choked up during the rehearsal; several have parents who are deploying tomorrow."
Purdy said most Pulaski students are much more knowledgeable about Veterans Day than kids in other schools. They are keenly aware of what it means to serve.
When U.S. Representative John Barrow took the podium, he thanked them for their sacrifices and talked about the importance of the job their parents perform in the military.
"Soldiers guard our country, our children, our parents and our school," he said.
Barrow said he believes the program provides excellent training for civilian students to learn about the sacrifices that military students make, many of them at Pulaski. He said that of the 300 students in the Chatham County schools whose parents are serving on active duty, 150 of them are Pulaski students.
When Lt. Col. Jose Aguilar, Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, stood before the group, he encouraged them to do their best so they can eventually take their turn as leaders of this country; he also thanked them for their service.
Students got additional affirmation from the training material given out by "Operation Caring Classroom," about veterans and through organized activities.
Those "Operation Caring Classroom" activities included essay competitions, learning patriotic songs, and activity book hand outs that teach the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, the American flag and information about the different branches of the military.
A highlight of the book is a tear out pamphlet titled "Kids in Camouflage," written by students at Fort Belvoir Elementary School in Fort Belvoir, Va. The students discuss the lives of military kids and growing up on an Army post. While the tone is positive, students also touch on the hardships of life in the military, having a parent abroad and the goodbyes of moving.
"It's our pleasure to come here and hang out with these kids," said Patricia Driscoll, Armed Forces Foundation president. "They serve this country too."
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