There was a noticeable burst of patriotism last Friday morning at Washington Primary School where parents and military veterans gathered in the school gym for a pair of assembly programs to celebrate Veterans Day.
Washington kindergarten and first grade students performed at the first of the two assemblies followed by a session for second and third graders. The youngsters read poems and sang songs. Some of the veterans came dressed in the uniforms they wore during the period of their service.
Pricipal Michelle Richards sang the national anthem.
Principal Michelle Richards started things off by singing the Star Spangled Banner for the crowd. Each of the students was given a small American flag for the event and the youngsters took delight in waving it back and forth. It was a color and downright awesome sight.
Some of the students were positioned on a set of choral risers placed along the front of the stage while the rest were on the stage itself. Parents, grandparents and veterans beamed throughout the two assembly programs.
“The children sang loudly and recited their poems enthusiastically,” Dr. Richards said. “Everyone looked patriotic in their red, white and blue attire.”
Teachers prepped their students in advance so the recitation of poems and the singing of patriotic songs came off without a hitch. “We did it,” Dr. Richards exclaimed.
The event’s planning committee included Dr. Richards and teachers Peri Alfano, Tina Balducci, Katie Kalkau and Margaret Connors. Many others pitched in to make the day successful, including parent Leah Van Horn, who worked diligently on behalf of the PTA.
A large banner emblazoned with the words “Thank You” was hung from the curtain at the back of the stage. Red and white and blue bunting adorned either side of the stage.
Veterans Day traces its roots to Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of World War I, which at the time was referred to as “the war to end all wars.” The Allies and Germany entered into an armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month or November 11, 1918.
Following World War II and the Korean War, veterans service organized encouraged Congress to change the word “armistice” to “veterans” so the special day would honor every American veteran of every war.
Washington School students made the veterans in the audience last Friday morning feel especially appreciated. The group left the building with an extra spring in their respective step.
