The school-wide event included a range of activities and lessons designed to instill a deeper understanding of Veterans Day and express gratitude to those who served in the US military.

The day’s activities began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem, setting a patriotic tone as students prepared to learn about the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans ahead of the national holiday on Monday.

“Veterans Day is a very important holiday in the United States because we want to remember those who served for our country’s freedom,” said Jen Carroll, a third-grade teacher at Marion Walker Elementary, to the students.

Carroll, who spoke at the assembly, shared educational videos, including a “Nuggets of Information” segment that highlighted the history of Veterans Day.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS The Marion Walker Elementary School Second Grade crowds around Army Specialist Jadon Boyer and Army Sergeant Jenifer Lilley to ask questions about what service is like.

Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to mark the end of World War I. It later became Veterans Day, a day to honor veterans of all US wars, after President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first official “Veterans Day Proclamation” in 1954.

Second-grader Easton Glass shared his thoughts on the importance of the armed forces, saying, “(they exist) so that we can have freedom and so that we don’t have to be worried about anything bad happening to us.”

The students learned about the six branches of the armed forces and then heard from veterans who served in them.

“The branches of the military, those are the different forces that work together to keep us safe and free,” Carroll explained to the students. She discussed the unique roles of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, and explained how each branch contributes to America’s safety.

Reflecting on this idea, second-grader Emma Kohlman said, “Veterans keep our country safe and really protect us from bad guys and other people getting into this country, so they can’t wreck our towns and cities.”

James Stewart, captain of the Jersey Shore Honor Guard, and his grandson, Collin, during the “High-five Hallway for Heros” walk through Marion Walker Elementary School. HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS

Last year, veterans with ties to the school sent in videos sharing why their service mattered and why it’s important to thank those who serve. One veteran expressed, “It’s important to honor Veterans Day and thank veterans because we’re willing to put our lives on the line for people we’ve never met and to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”

Before being dismissed for breakfast with the visiting veterans, Carroll encouraged students to express gratitude beyond the holiday itself.

“You don’t have to wait for Veterans Day to thank a veteran for their service,” she said. “You can thank them any day and that’s really important to remember.”

On their way to the library, where staff had prepared a hearty potluck breakfast of eggs, bacon, donuts, fresh fruit and biscuits with sausage gravy for visiting veterans and their student relatives, students and their honored guests toured the hallways of Marion Walker Elementary. Along the way, they received enthusiastic high-fives from classmates and admired the red, white and blue paper “high-fives” that students decorated in tribute to their heroes.

One visiting veteran, James Stewart, captain of the Jersey Shore Honor Guard, shared that after returning from service in Vietnam, he received no recognition, which motivated him to join the Honor Guard.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Marion Elementary School students and their loved ones who served in the military enjoy a delicious breakfast on Thursday morning.

Stewart expressed his gratitude for Marion Walker’s Veterans Day efforts, saying the school’s appreciation means a great deal to him and others who served.

“When I came back from Vietnam, we didn’t get anything. We didn’t get a thanks, we didn’t get anything. So, I joined the Honor Guard to thank all veterans. They should receive what we did not get,” Stewart said.

He was accompanied by his grandson, Collin, who he said helps him and his other grandchildren plant flags at veterans’ graves in the cemetery, continuing a family tradition of honoring those who served.

Following breakfast, the groups alternated between visiting the Humvee brought to the school by Army Specialist Jadon Boyer and Sergeant Jenifer Lilley from the Lewistown Armory and learning about the American flag from members of the American VFW and Legion, who discussed its significance and taught students how to properly fold it.

Megan Douty, a learning support teacher at Marion Walker, was one of the principal organizers of the Veterans Day activities. Coming from a military family herself, she emphasized the importance of teaching students about Veterans Day.

event organizer Megan Douty is pictured with her father, an Army veteran, and her son.

“I think students need to learn about Veterans Day because there’s stories that we’re not going to be able to tell in the future,” Douty said. “This is our history, and a lot of who we are as a country is from our veterans, so our students need to learn that and respect it. The more that they’re around and exposed, the more they’re going to learn about Veterans Day.”

Douty stressed that the day’s activities were ultimately about learning.

“I hope that they can walk away knowing that they can learn in every situation, every environment and also from every individual,” Douty said. “Learning does not always have to take place in the classroom… learning happens all around you and you need to embrace it.”

Douty extended special thanks to Jen Carroll, Jena Jodon (elementary technology teacher), Frank Gauss (school officer) and all the volunteers and outside participants who contributed throughout the process.

“We are extremely lucky that we have a strong committee that wanted to help put everything together today,” she said.

Students learn how to properly fold the American flag.

A veteran signs a special craft created during the assembly.

A student and their relative enjoy a delicious breakfast.