NEWS                                                                                   Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            880 S. Lemon Avenue

November 9, 2012                                                             Walnut, CA 91789

 

Contact:     

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

 

DIAMOND BAR, CA--Second graders at Evergreen Elementary School paid tribute to our nation’s heroes during a Veterans Day assembly held November 9.

The national holiday began in 1918, when in 11th hour, on the 11th day, everybody put down their guns and cannons and stopped fighting, and they had peace. It was first called Armistice Day, and then several years later was re-named Veteran’s Day, described teacher Alice Oldag.

“It is our way of saying thank you. We want them to know they are in our thoughts,” she said.

The patriotic program featured the youngsters singing You’re a Grand Old Flag, America the Beautiful, and songs from each branch of the Armed Forces – Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

The group of about 100 students and teachers also observed a moment of silence as the Taps bugle solo was played to honor our military heroes.

The students wrote essays describing how they can show respect for America. One student from each class shared their personal stories with the group.

“America is special to me. It is important that all Americans are treated fairly and with respect -even when we disagree. I’m happy I live in America, “ said Jonathon Dang. 

“I can show respect by recycling once a month, picking up trash, obeying all the laws, and saying the Pledge of Allegiance,” said David Fiallo.

“America is special to me because it has mountains and good beaches. It has pretty trees that produce yummy fruit and vegetables,“ said Amelia Loch. 

“We all have the rights to be treated fairly,” said Annie Chen. 

Each grade level at the Diamond Bar school has also been collecting donations for soldiers.

The school also learned of a soldier named Jordan who was injured in Afghanistan and is now recovering in a hospital in Texas.

And the second graders decided to take action.

Along with the special care package and photos from the assembly, the students all signed a thank you banner that will be mailed just in time for Veteran’s Day.

“We’ve adopted Jordan and are sending him our special thoughts as he recovers,” Principal Carolyn Wills said.

“We have been talking about showing respect for America. These are things that you can all do every single day,” Oldag said to the students.

And this weekend, when its Veterans Day on November 11, if any of you are traveling and in an airport - you can ask your parents if you can say ‘thank you for serving’ if you see someone in uniform, she said.

“Just go up to them with your parents and say ‘thanks.’”

Second grade student Jonathon Dang read his essay during the Veterans Day assembly on November 9.  

Annie Chen shared her thoughts about showing respect to our country. 

Second grader Amelia Loch read her essay in front of the second grade audience.

An autographed banner for a special soldier named Justin was unveiled at the assembly. 

Every Evergreen second grade student autographed a banner to thank a soldier who was injured in Afghanistan for his service.