Central Primary School hosted its annual “Veterans Day Celebration” on Nov. 11. Central students had the opportunity to invite friends and family that serve or have served in the United States military and honor them with the special assembly.
“At Central Primary, it is our desire to help our students understand that freedom is not free,” Central Counselor Charlotte Dewitt said. “We want to give our students the opportunity to honor those brave men and women who have made sacrifices on our behalf.”
To kick off the assembly, local veterans entered Central’s auditorium down an aisle lined with students holding the American flag.
Central’s Early Act Citizenship Councilstudents and Principal Melinda Morris welcomed the honorary guests and spoke about the history and importance of Veterans Day. The EACC student speakers included: Trace Young, Ellie Echols, Carley Cox, Micah Claire Cowart, Kaylen Beard, Amelia Price, Macey Cervantes, Z’Layiah Jackson, Maddox Fendley, Wyatt Daniell, Alexy Torres, Sharyah Parillon, Brady Daniell and Maggie Grace Phillips.
Dewitt introduced two honorary speakers for the assembly, Senior Airmen Colleen Mason, mother of Hunter Mason, and Sergeant First Class Justin Farrar, father of Grace Farrar. Mason and Farrar spoke about enlisting in the armed forces, specific duties, and the importance of supporting our Veterans.
The assembly included three special tributes to our heroes: a video, song and wall of honor. The 11-minute video consisted of photos submitted by Central students of past and present Veterans they know that have served or are serving in each branch of the military. Following the video, the Veterans assembled at the front of the auditorium as every class stood and sang “We Will Not Forget.”
Prior to the assembly, students were asked to submit the names of veterans in their life and were given a star for each name submitted. Dewitt called out approximately 160 names, and students placed their stars on the “Our Heroes” wall in the Veterans’ honor.
“This assembly gives us the chance to honor friends and family members who have served or are still serving in the military,” Dewitt said. “Truly it is OUR honor to be able to honor our heroes.”
At conclusion of the assembly, Master Sergeant David Laubach, grandfather of Adelaide, played Taps.
“It took MANY people working together to honor our veterans,” Dewitt said. “Every faculty and staff member at Central had an important role in making this day special for so many.”
Central Primary would like to thank the following volunteers who made this assembly possible: Charlotte Dewitt for organizing the assembly; Deborah McMillan for making the video honoring our heroes; Ryan Ellison, Kimberly Ellison, and Sandra Capps for decorating the auditorium; Pamela Harris for assisting with special music; Jana Kelly for being a star helper; Laurel Cannon for making ribbons for our honorary guests; Melinda Morris for speaking and supporting the assembly; and all classes at Central Primary for making the banners honoring our Veterans.
See photos from the assembly HERE.