Written by: Abagale Elliott
Traditionally, the Salem Community Schools Veterans Day program was held at Bradie Shrum Elementary School. This year, the superintendent wanted a corporation-wide program that involved students in all three schools. The program was held Nov. 11 at Salem High School. The whole gym was full of students, staff and guests, ready to celebrate our community veterans.
Elementary school students, grades three through five, performed songs, as well as the middle and high school bands and choirs. There were multiple speakers from each of the three schools. The program was for all veterans to come and see the gratitude held for them, and the performances and speakers really reflected that.
Boy Scout Troop 4029 presented the flag. They displayed a level of confidence that could only be equated to their thankfulness. Junior Sonya Dixon sang the national anthem.
“Every act of service deserves to be honored,” one speaker said, “So many of us here, doing so much for all U.S. Veterans… What we did was for you.”
The elementary school played “Thankful for the USA”, “American Everyday” and “The Brave.” They also performed “God Bless America” in American Sign Language. Some of the songs that the band played were “American Journey” and “Forgotten Hero.” The band played “Armed Forces Medley,” accompanied by the choir, and all veterans in the room stood to be applauded when their branch's medley was played.
Another speaker said that “[Veterans] protect our country and the values we teach our students here everyday: Responsibility, service, and respect for others.”
All students who go to school should be thankful for this. It is because of veterans that people who live here have the liberty to go to school everyday.