Recently at a Model UN competition I overheard two teacher’s discussing Veterans Day. One of the teachers was a veteran, who had earned his college degree and teaching certificate through the benefits of the GI Bill. The two teachers discussed the Veterans Wall currently on display at the host school, and wondered why their buildings didn’t participate in similar celebrations. The conversation turned to the school calendar and whether of not students should have off on Veterans Day.
The first teacher thought having the day off is a great way for schools to honor the service of our veterans, while the teacher who had served saw things differently. He explained, “I don’t know any vet who would want to be honored by having students sit around home and play X-Box. The best way to honor a vet is to engage in that same spirit of service.” But how do we get our students to engage in service?
I believe engaging our students in service starts with highlighting the greatest acts of service. Schools across the country, whether in session on Veterans Day or not, have a duty to showcase the selfless acts of service by our veterans not only to honor them but also to provide an example to the next generation. If your school is in session how can you make Veterans Day special? If your school is not in attendance, do your students understand why?
Take a moment to read about how public schools from around the country have chosen to celebrate the service and sacrifice of our veterans. How will you encourage your students to honor this service above self?
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West Aurora High School– Aurora, IL
Aside from their annual Veterans Day assembly, West Aurora played host to the Vietnam Moving Wall and Healing field. The Moving Wall is a half sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Surrounding the Moving Wall was a healing field of more than 2,000 full sized American Flags, purchased by community members to honor the veterans in their lives. The Moving Wall was on display for students, staff, community members and veterans from Thursday 11/7 to Monday 11/11.More Info
North Carroll High School– Manchester, MD
Students from Carroll have invited military veterans and their families to join them for a special breakfast on Veterans Day prior to attending their Veterans Day assembly. Later in the week, veterans will be invited back to the school for a dinner catered by the senior class and will receive complimentary tickets to the school’s fall play. More Info
Silsbee High School– Beaurmont, TX
Local veterans were invited to an event at Silsbee High School where they were honored for their military service. Veterans were greeted at the door and escorted into the event. The school’s band, choir and speech team took turns performing veteran inspired pieces, many of which were student written. More Info
Brooke High School– Welrton, WV
Students choose to celebrate Veterans Day by collecting care packages for those soldiers actively serving. With so much of Veterans Day focused on those who have returned from military service it is easy to forget that we still have men and women making that same sacrifice today. By sending simple care packages of snacks, toiletries and cards, students at Brooke were able to thank these soldiers for their willingness to serve. More Info
Huntley Project School– Worden, MT
High Schools aren’t the only ones celebrating Veterans Day, Huntley Elementary School’s 5th and 6th grades have prepared a moving celebration for our nation’s heroes. Students will be performing songs, reciting poems and acting out skits related to the theme of patriotism and wartime service. More Info
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