TheBluesMan
Senior Member
I just got back from a Veterans Day assembly at my daughter's elementary school. She was in the program and had a speaking part, so I just *had* to go, being the proud papa that I am.
The first thing I noticed upon entering the auditorium was about a dozen veterans from the local VFW sitting in a row. The second thing I noticed was that seven of them were holding M1 Garands! You read that right. There were guns in my daughter's school!
The program concluded with an introduction of the veterans. They each stood in turn as their name was called by the post commander. When they were all standing, the entire auditorium erupted into sustained applause. The principal of the school then thanked the men and women who had served our country and then put into very simple words, how each of us should feel toward these men and women who gave so much so that we all can enjoy the blessings of freedom. For many of the children of that school, it may have been the first time that they actually understood *why* we have a special day for our veterans and *why* we should all say "thank you."
When the program was ended, the students, parents, teachers and guests all filed out to the flagpole in front of the school. There, the post commander from the VFW raised the American Flag. The children were all quiet and respectful as the flag was raised to the top of the flagpole. Only after the flag was secured, did I notice that the veterans with the rifles had formed a line about 10 yards from the nearest children. They were given the orders that many of us have heard at the funerals of our fathers and grandfathers. They aimed and fired three shots each into the air on command. It was a very moving moment that I know was shared by all the kids too.
After the salute, the kids applauded again then went back into the school. I made sure to thank the principal for hosting the program which was so meaningful to all who attended. Tonight I'll write a letter to him thanking him again for his recognition of our veterans through programs such as this.
I am thankful that our school district has the fortitude to employ this principal with principles. No "zero-tolerance" law at this public school, thank you very much! God Bless America!
The first thing I noticed upon entering the auditorium was about a dozen veterans from the local VFW sitting in a row. The second thing I noticed was that seven of them were holding M1 Garands! You read that right. There were guns in my daughter's school!
The program concluded with an introduction of the veterans. They each stood in turn as their name was called by the post commander. When they were all standing, the entire auditorium erupted into sustained applause. The principal of the school then thanked the men and women who had served our country and then put into very simple words, how each of us should feel toward these men and women who gave so much so that we all can enjoy the blessings of freedom. For many of the children of that school, it may have been the first time that they actually understood *why* we have a special day for our veterans and *why* we should all say "thank you."
When the program was ended, the students, parents, teachers and guests all filed out to the flagpole in front of the school. There, the post commander from the VFW raised the American Flag. The children were all quiet and respectful as the flag was raised to the top of the flagpole. Only after the flag was secured, did I notice that the veterans with the rifles had formed a line about 10 yards from the nearest children. They were given the orders that many of us have heard at the funerals of our fathers and grandfathers. They aimed and fired three shots each into the air on command. It was a very moving moment that I know was shared by all the kids too.
After the salute, the kids applauded again then went back into the school. I made sure to thank the principal for hosting the program which was so meaningful to all who attended. Tonight I'll write a letter to him thanking him again for his recognition of our veterans through programs such as this.
I am thankful that our school district has the fortitude to employ this principal with principles. No "zero-tolerance" law at this public school, thank you very much! God Bless America!
Then I noticed they were JROTC, and I wasn't so suprised. I didn't even give a second thought to the fact that there were two Garands in the guard until some blissninny behind me said "I thought there were no guns in skools".
