Paul Knox Middle students honor local veterans
Aiken County schools are honoring our country's veterans all this week. One of the programs was at Paul Knox Middle School in the North Augusta. The students say the greatest gift they can give veterans is to not only say "thank you" but to truly understand what they have done for our country.
Kids gathered in the gym, some clapping and others waving flags. Eighth-grader Jacqueline Phillips says she's excited to be part of the festivity. "It shows that we have freedom in America, and we can do as we please, but I am really proud of all the veterans, so that's why it's so important to me." She says it's important to know the meaning behind the day. "The veterans have fought to protect this wonderful nation."
Kids read heartfelt poems, and others gave speeches, but all eyes were on the vets sitting front and center. The veterans listened to those who wrote poems especially for them. Sydney Budds read her poem. "Courageous is what you're when you fight, to make sure your loved ones can sleep at night." Both of her grandfathers served in the military, and their war stories inspired her to write the poem. She says she's learned some important lessons. "They fought hard, and my grandfathers both made it out okay, but some didn't make it back," Budd says.
The Veterans Program at the middle school wasn't the only thing in store for veterans. Kids also put their poems all throughout the hallway to show those who serve our country how very much they're appreciated.
Bob Ramsey, who served in the army for 26 years, loved seeing the kids so excited. "It is very inspiring to see it. At one time, the country wasn't as patriotic as it's today, and it's tremendously rewarding to those of us who served to see that patriotism is returning to the classrooms.” Ramsey flew helicopters in Vietnam, and he says he knows that freedom is not free. He has a message for the students. "Keep the faith. Keep the faith. There's a great future ahead for this country because of the veterans that we have and because of those that are serving."
Jacqueline says she knows a lot of people have lost their lives or gotten hurt while fighting, so even when she grows up, she'll continue to remember this day and what it means. "On Veterans Day, we just really need to honor the veterans, and we need to thank them for all they've done for this country."
The other programs that will take place on Nov 11 are below:
Gloverville Elementary will be having a Veterans Day Parade throughout the school building beginning at approximately 8:00 on November 11, 2010. Gloverville has invited family and community veterans to participate in our school parade and assembly. Following the parade (8:30 a.m.) third through fifth grade students will participate in a Veterans Day Program in the multi-purpose room. In addition to the parade and assembly, veterans will be speaking in classrooms throughout the day. Please contact Terena Corley for more information about our Veterans Day activities.
South Aiken's Veterans Day Program will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the gym. Guest Speaker is Mr. Jeff Wallace. Ceremony is open to the public.
Jefferson Elementary Veterans Day program is from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. It is open to the public.
Clearwater Elementary Kindergarten will be doing a Veterans Day Program at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Jackson Middle School's Veterans Day Program will be held in the gym at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served to visitors at 12:30 in the library. The guest speaker will be Ret. Col. Maxie Joye. He has a very interesting story to tell.
North Aiken Elementary School will be having their Veterans Day Program at 9:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room.
North Augusta Middle School Veteran's Day program will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the gym.
Kids read heartfelt poems, and others gave speeches, but all eyes were on the vets sitting front and center. The veterans listened to those who wrote poems especially for them. Sydney Budds read her poem. "Courageous is what you're when you fight, to make sure your loved ones can sleep at night." Both of her grandfathers served in the military, and their war stories inspired her to write the poem. She says she's learned some important lessons. "They fought hard, and my grandfathers both made it out okay, but some didn't make it back," Budd says.
The Veterans Program at the middle school wasn't the only thing in store for veterans. Kids also put their poems all throughout the hallway to show those who serve our country how very much they're appreciated.
Bob Ramsey, who served in the army for 26 years, loved seeing the kids so excited. "It is very inspiring to see it. At one time, the country wasn't as patriotic as it's today, and it's tremendously rewarding to those of us who served to see that patriotism is returning to the classrooms.” Ramsey flew helicopters in Vietnam, and he says he knows that freedom is not free. He has a message for the students. "Keep the faith. Keep the faith. There's a great future ahead for this country because of the veterans that we have and because of those that are serving."
Jacqueline says she knows a lot of people have lost their lives or gotten hurt while fighting, so even when she grows up, she'll continue to remember this day and what it means. "On Veterans Day, we just really need to honor the veterans, and we need to thank them for all they've done for this country."
The other programs that will take place on Nov 11 are below:
Gloverville Elementary will be having a Veterans Day Parade throughout the school building beginning at approximately 8:00 on November 11, 2010. Gloverville has invited family and community veterans to participate in our school parade and assembly. Following the parade (8:30 a.m.) third through fifth grade students will participate in a Veterans Day Program in the multi-purpose room. In addition to the parade and assembly, veterans will be speaking in classrooms throughout the day. Please contact Terena Corley for more information about our Veterans Day activities.
South Aiken's Veterans Day Program will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the gym. Guest Speaker is Mr. Jeff Wallace. Ceremony is open to the public.
Jefferson Elementary Veterans Day program is from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. It is open to the public.
Clearwater Elementary Kindergarten will be doing a Veterans Day Program at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Jackson Middle School's Veterans Day Program will be held in the gym at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served to visitors at 12:30 in the library. The guest speaker will be Ret. Col. Maxie Joye. He has a very interesting story to tell.
North Aiken Elementary School will be having their Veterans Day Program at 9:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room.
North Augusta Middle School Veteran's Day program will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the gym.
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