Lyter and Loyalsock Valley Elementary schools honored veterans at an assembly at the high school on Nov. 8.
The assembly was kicked off by the Pledge of Allegiance and the high school choir sang the National Anthem.
Mr. Darrin Ferrar and Mr. Daniel Taormina thanked the visiting veterans for attending the assembly and for their service.
Mrs. Karissa Jones organized most of the day, taking on what had previously been Mrs. Paula Pulizzi’s job.
“I feel extremely honored to be stepping into some really big shoes for this annual program,” said Jones.
Jones explained that for the last few weeks, the teachers had been incorporating the importance of Veteran’s Day into their lessons through art projects, writing activities such as thank-you notes, and learning the branches of the military.
As a recognition to all military branches, each branch’s song was played and the veterans were asked to stand for their song.
Jones then asked each veteran to stand for any conflicts they had been in including, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, Vietnam, the Korean War, and World War I and II.
Next, Jones introduced Mr. Chet Beever, a master sergeant in the Army and an assistant director of student advocacy for Veteran Services from the Pennsylvania College of Technology
Beever taught the students two words from the military, “Rodger” and Hooah, instructing the kids to respond with a “Hooah” whenever he said “Rodger.”
“I liked seeing all the veterans and listening to Chet, especially when he told us to say ‘Hooah,’” said Adam Teffeteller, a fourth grader from Lyter Elementary.
“I had the pleasure of serving for almost 25 years in the Army, I’ve been all around the world and all around the country,” said Beever. “It makes me feel proud to come to an event like this.”
Beever defined Veterans Day as “a time we honor and say thank you to all of our brave men and women who have served in the military to protect our country.”
Beever went on to describe veterans as “men and women who have worked very hard, often far from home to make sure that we stay safe and free.”
“Veteran’s Day is important because it reminds us to be grateful for the sacrifices Veterans have made for us,” said Beever. “They have given up time with their family, they give up their homes, sometimes they have given up their own safety and all too often, their own lives to protect our freedoms.”
“Thanks to them, we get to go to school, we get to play, we get to live in a safe and free country,” said Beever.
“The veterans who have protected our freedoms deserve our utmost respect, whether we thank them in person or just take a moment to think about their service, every little action can show how much we appreciate them,” said Beever.
Then, senior, Addison Confer played Taps on his trumpet to honor the veterans.
Jones asked a select few fourth graders to read paragraphs about Veteran’s Day that they wrote in class.
The students wrote about the American flag, relatives they looked up to who were in the military, and what Veteran’s Day is.
The assembly concluded with the audience singing Happy Birthday to Bill Mall, a veteran, and all of the elementary students singing “On Veteran’s Day.”
One of the visiting Veterans was Daniel Fredericks who served four years in the military in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Persian Gulf.
Fredericks is the father of junior Raigan Fredericks.
“Going through the Panama Canal was pretty awesome,” said Fredericks of his time serving.
He also served during Operation Desert Storm which stopped cargo ships carrying contraband.
In the Caribbean Sea, he was part of preventing drug smugglers and taking them as prisoners.
“My favorite memory was meeting so many wonderful people,” said Fredericks.
“My favorite part of the ceremony was seeing all of the veterans and how the kids are so respectful to them,” said Fredericks.
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