by Bea Peterson
Third grade teacher Terri Burdick is a member of the Elks. The Elks Club, she told a packed auditorium Monday morning, is dedicated to helping Veterans. For many years, in that capacity, Mrs. Burdick has spearheaded a program that recognizes them on the eve of Veterans Day. The entire elementary school gets involved in this outstanding program. Students and teachers dress in red, white and blue, and there’s plenty of singing. Hearing an auditorium of elementary kids belting out “Proud to be an American” will warm any heart.
Two students from every grade begin the program by parading American flags into the auditorium. A fabulous quartet of teachers harmonized a spectacular version of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” Elementary Principal Mr. Dailey spoke of his family’s proud military history. Mrs. Burdick’s class told the history of Veterans Day.
Mrs. Burdick introduced three Veterans who spoke. Lt. Steven Crane is a retired Air Force pilot. His daughter is HFCS third grade teacher Erin Jarosz. His granddaughter is in the elementary school. A Veteran is someone who has served in the military, he told the students. Many of them have served in jobs that are critical to the military but not that of a combatant. All of them have made sacrifices to protect our country. War, he said, is a terrible thing. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in 11 wars, from the American Revolution through Iraq. Our veterans have helped us achieve freedoms and abundant blessings.
Kevin Miller joined the National Guard at 17. He served nine months with the Fighting 69th in New York City after 9/11. His last assignment was in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Screaming’ Eagles, where
he was wounded and sent home. Afghanistan is a beautiful country he told the audience. It’s very hot in the summer and has snow capped mountains. I think we did some good there, he said. We built schools and playgrounds. “I love my job,” he added. He hopes to continue his military career and retire at 37. Miller’s son Daniel is in the second grade at HFCS.
Sandy Smallwood-Libby is retired from the US Navy. She has been speaking at these assemblies for years. She is usually accompanied by her father Fred Brenenstuhl who served 21 and a half years in the Navy. Unfortunately Fred passed away last week. During her career Sandy served at Virginia Beach, Guam, North Carolina and had a Mediterranean cruise that took her to Spain, Egypt, Monaco, Turkey and France. She said her military service taught her responsibility and self worth. It gave her an opportunity to learn a trade and to visit other countries. Sandy is cousin to Mrs. Burdick.
Music teacher Mr. Brown played taps and music teacher Mr. Connally led the children in singing “This Land Is My Land” and several other patriotic songs.