Normandy Elementary students show thanks to veterans
Hailie Steffenson shows respect for the flag during the Veterans Day assembly at Normandy School. Her father, Donald, is on active duty with the Coast Guard. Photo by Julie Holland
About 500 Normandy Elementary children in grades K-2 gathered at an assembly to honor our veterans and military heroes on Nov. 11. Rows of red, white and blue stars lining the walls were the first hint to visitors that they were in for a special day. Each star featured a brave man or woman who served in the military and was related to a Normandy student.
Special guests represented each branch of the service and a span of many years of protecting our freedoms. The program began with Boy Scouts presenting the colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, words of introduction and thanks, musical tributes, and a lesson about flag etiquette.
Before saying farewell to our honorees, each person received a mini-flag and paraded around the block, led by a group of Bay High School band members. Teachers Barbara Ayers and Cathy Bogart were the organizers, but many others played key roles in the program as well.
"It means so much to know that children are being taught such important lessons about the sacrifices made by so many," said Dr. James Bennett, who served as a dentist at West Point from 2008-2012, with a deployment to Iraq from 2009-2010. He currently practices dentistry in Westlake and the Ohio Army National Guard.
We are so thankful for ALL of our heroes and enjoyed meeting and showing our appreciation to those who were able to attend!
Julie Holland
I am a librarian at Normandy Elementary School in Bay Village, where I also administer the Accelerated Reader program. My hobbies include photography, writing, and nature, especially raising and tagging monarch butterflies.