The Alexander City Outlook

School, library hold Veterans Day programs

Seasoned servicemen are most often the ones doing the teaching at Veterans Day ceremonies, but the tables were turned Tuesday at Stephens Elementary when students showed visiting veterans that the next generation is learning a little something about patriotism too.

Local veterans and the school’s students filled the gym for the Veterans Day ceremony. The event included patriotic songs, a flag folding ceremony, history presentations and skits.

“I think that it lets a lot of us know that the history of our service personnel is still being taught in school,” Ret. U.S. Air Force serviceman James Machen said. “It’s nice to know patriotism is still being taught in the schools.”

The ceremony began with a posting of the colors ceremony conducted by former servicemen with the Alexander City Honor Guard, and ended with a rendition of Lee Greenwoods “God Bless the USA.”

The children stood in front of the crowd to give the presentation as the honor guard members, dressed in full uniform, looked on.

“I don’t think anyone can watch something like this and not feel any emotion,” Principal Kim Smith said to the crowd.

She said that the ceremony and the preparation that went into it was intended to teach children about history, patriotism and to instill respect for the nation’s servicemen.

“We need to remind the children of those who have made a sacrifice for our country and at this time in our country’s history these ceremonies are especially poignant,” Smith said.

The children spent several weeks practicing for the ceremony and if Stephens Elementary School Student Dylan Adamson is any indication, they learned a few things in the process.

“I think it was good. We learned a lot,” Adamson said. “I think it’s really good that they gave their lives so we can have freedom.”

The Stephens Veterans Day ceremony was not the only one held in Alexander City Tuesday. Children at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library met with retired Staff Sgt. Melvin E. Luke, formally with the National Guard, and his son, Lance Cpl. Stephen E. Luke with the active marine reserves, to ask questions about military service.