Honoring Our Veterans

The music teacher at school is experienced and wise.  She always plans the 5th and 6th grade music program early in the year.  The later in the year you wait, the harder it is to get cooperation from the very cool 6th graders.  I'm sure it's always great to get that program out of the way too.  The smartest thing she does is organize a Veteran's Day program, complete with invitations to veterans from the Veteran's Home.  The students sings some beautiful songs, dance to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", and recite the Preamble and the Gettysburg Address from memory.  When they sing the songs from each branch of the military, those in the audience who have served, stand for their song and receive applause. 

Smokey and Cheetah do their part.

Those from the Veteran's Home arrived about 5 minutes late for our final performance.  The boys who were dressed in scout uniforms for the flag ceremony helped all the men in wheelchairs in.  As each entered the gym, they received a standing ovation.  It was hard to stay composed during the military songs.  A couple of the men on the front row had tears rolling down their faces.  Even the self-centered 5th and 6th graders clue in to the dedication of our service men and women.  After the performance, the 6th graders hand out cards that they have written to the veterans.  Many stay and visit.  Our music teacher not only gets the program over with, she gets a beautiful sincere performance from the students, and they look outside of themselves and learn a few serious things.