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To tell their stories

CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS During a Veterans Day assembly at Marion-Walker Elementary School, students were taught how to properly fold a flag by members of the United State military.

BELLEFONTE — At Marion-Walker Elementary School, Veterans Day celebrations are held each and every year.

Even when Veterans Day falls on a weekend — as it did this year — Marion Walker principal Karen Krisch knows the show must go on.

And it did.

Marion-Walker held its annual Veterans Day assembly on Monday afternoon as elementary students packed the gymnasium, which capped an entire day of Veterans Day-themed activities in the school.

Krisch said that the school will always host some type of Veterans Day activity.

CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS Students at Marion-Walker Elementary enjoyed a Veterans Day assembly on Monday afternoon.

“We feel very strongly about it because we want our students to grow up to be functioning citizens of the United States,” Krisch said. “It’s not just about getting good grades. We want them to be well-rounded students.”

With that in mind, students start every day with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, Krisch said.

“That’s unique to this building. Some would say that it takes too much time, but we think it’s important that they know the words to the Star Spangled Banner,” Krisch said.

Prior to Monday’s assembly, there were several guest speakers from the military branches who went classroom to classroom to talk about their experiences with the United States’ military.

Some of those who came to speak are parents or grandparents of those students in the classrooms.

CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS Members of the Bellefonte Area High School choir performed at Marion-Walker Elementary during its annual Veterans Day assembly.

“They go to our classrooms and tell their personal stories. We have parents who talk about their careers. What did they do in the military and what are they doing now? That’s important for kids to hear,” Krisch said.

Monday’s assembly began with the Pledge of Allegiance, which was done in sign language. That was followed by a flag-folding demonstration, a short question and answer session, the National Anthem and “God Bless America,” which was performed by the Bellefonte Area High School choir.

One of the special guests at the assembly was Marine Corps Sgt. David “D.J.” Emery, Jr. Emery’s story is well-known — he narrowly survived a suicide bombing in Iraq in February of 2007 and had both of his legs amputated.

But Emery has truly made the most of his situation and his story is one that needs to be told, Kirsch said.

“He tells his story … what happened to him and why this day is so important,” Krisch said. “Our kids get a pretty wide range of information. That’s why we feel it’s important to have veterans come (to the school).”

During the day, all students were tasked with making cards for the troops. One of the students, Krisch said, has a family member who is currently deployed.

“We knew the cards would take a little while for them to get there, so we made the cards on Veterans Day knowing they’ll get there for Christmas,” Krisch said.

The tradition of celebrating Veterans Day at Marion-Walker has come a long way since its inception. Krisch knows that the key to the day-long program is making sure that it changes and stays fresh from year to year.

This year, Marion-Walker teachers faced a big hurdle.

“One of our teachers who did a lot of work for (Veterans Day) retired this year,” Krisch said. “We had to do a lot of work just because she retired. We tried get more teachers involved and that’s one way we keep it fresh, I think.”

Teachers at Marion-Walker recognize the importance of Veterans Day and incorporate it into their lesson plan, Krisch said.

For example, one teacher may talk about boot camp and why it’s important to be physically fit. Another may discuss all the branches of the military with their students.

But some of the biggest lessons taught on Veterans Day are those of our nation’s history, Krisch said.

“It’s about understanding our history and how it impacts us today,” Krisch said. “Kids have a lot of history to focus on. The voices of the past do need to be heard. We’re losing some of those stories … it’s important that students know them.”

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