Students learn importance of Veterans Day

Specialist Pete Hopley presents Stanwood Middle School with the flag he brought back from Afghanistan. Students, parents and community members gathered at local schools throughout the district to honor their county’s veterans last Tuesday.

At Utsalady Elementary, Principal Colleen Keller opened the assembly by encouraging students and parents to celebrate Veterans Day by getting out into the community.

“Tomorrow is not just a day off,” she said. “It’s a chance to honor those who served our country.”

The school’s gymnasium came alive through music as students performed an array of patriotic songs complete with a medley of service hymns. Veterans in the audience were asked to stand as each military branch was recognized.

Guest speaker Curt Cramer addressed the audience by describing his service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“It is a time of my life I am very proud of,” he said.

“Everyday,” added Cramer, “sacrifices are made to keep citizens of the United States safe. We are forever indebted.”

Those sacrifices hit home for the Utsalady Elementary community.

A special tribute honoring Major Robert D. Lindenau, who died in service in 2008, was held.

His son, Gabriel, and daughters, Sarah and Hannah, attend the school. Their mother, Tonya, was present to accept a quilt and sapling from students and staff.

Each veteran in attendance was presented with a picture made up of every students’ and staff members’ name representing the American flag.

During the Stanwood Middle School assembly, the jazz band opened the occasion, followed by the Northwest Navy Band Quartet, before teacher Bill Rogers spoke.

Rogers reminded students what it means to be a veteran and what a sacrifice it is.

Teacher Brian Waters also shared. Soldiers, he emphasized in a story, show “devotion to something bigger than themselves.”

The student body also accepted a gift from their adopted soldier, Specialist Pete Hopley of the Army National Guard. After his recent deployment to Afghanistan, Hopley flew a United States flag home, which he presented to the school at the assembly.

After general dismissal, eighth-grade students were invited to stay and visit with the veterans and military personnel. Chris Barta, an eighth grader, thought the assembly was cool.

“To me, it’s a choice,” Barta said, speaking of veterans and active duty personnel. “They had a choice to stay home with their family, or to serve. They chose to be a hero.”