By Jim Newell
Review Writer
Active and retired military personnel took center stage, literally, at Orion Oaks Elementary on Veterans Day for a special ceremony honoring men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
And while most of the students are too young to understand the gravity of war, they are learning to show their appreciation and gratitude to those who serve in the armed forces.
The students have, after all, all been born while the United States has been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has waged a continuing war on terrorist groups.
“This is our day to say thank you,” Principal Ken Nuss told the students at the opening of the ceremony. “In my mind, people who serve in the military are superheroes.”
Veterans – many of whom were family and friends of the students – sat on the stage in the gymnasium while students led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of America the Beautiful.
After the ceremony, students led the veterans into the hallways for a “thank you” parade, then into the cafeteria for refreshments.
The students also had the chance to listen firsthand to the veterans about who they remember on Veterans Day and about the importance of remembering those who protect their freedoms.
“As you sit here looking at us, we’re here looking back at you – because you are our future,” said Jim Parkhurst of American Legion Post 108 in Oxford.
Parkhurst asked the students and others assembled – when going to school, or soccer games or other activities – to remember one thing: “We all gave part of our lives so you can do those things.”
“I can think of no better example of leadership than the people who have served in our military to protect our freedoms,” Nuss told the students. “We tell the kids we want them to be leaders not just of themselves, but in the school as well.”
While some of the children had family members who are either active service or retired military personnel, others, who did not have a veteran in their family, asked friends to attend the ceremony as their guests.
“A lot of times we don’t realize that we have family in the military. Not just our immediate family, but our Orion Oaks family,” Nuss said.
Douglas O’Berry, who served in the Marine Corps and was stationed in southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, visited the school as fifth-grader Mindy Quinn’s guest.
O’Berry, a family friend who coaches Mindy’s older brother in bowling, said he was glad to attend the Veterans Day activities and advocates faith, family and school to the kids.
“These kids are the future. They are our most vital resource,” O’Berry said. “I want free thinkers. I want leaders.”
Army veteran Carl St. Henry, 1963-65, served as a company clerk during Vietnam and visited the school for his granddaughter, Commela.
St. Henry said it is important for kids to be exposed to ceremonies like the one at Orion Oaks so that they learn about their past.
“Now this is heartwarming, this is what the country needs,” St. Henry said.