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St. Isidore School’s blacktop was a sea of red, white and blue on Thursday morning as students, staff, family and friends gathered for a salute to veterans. Fifty-five veterans attended the seventh annual event, which featured a bagpiper and Boy Scout color guard.
“Thank you for the freedom that you have preserved for us,” Principal Jean Schroeder told the veterans. “Our students are here to honor and understand why we have off tomorrow.”
Students at the K-8 school received a brief history lesson on who qualifies as a veteran from retired Army Gen. Robert Lowe and heard introductions from veterans who served in WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As each veteran was introduced by name, rank and branch, students handed out blue roses of commemoration.
“I’m always proud to be here,” said Mayor Karen Stepper, who attended the event with Councilmember and Air Force vet Mike Doyle. “It’s our duty and obligation today to remember and understand their sacrifice.”
Before the ceremony, one teacher encouraged students’ understanding of Veterans Day by using Library of Congress video interviews with service men and women to inspire reflection. The in-depth interviews help open student’s eyes, said eighth grade teacher Melinda Daly.
“These people have gone above and beyond and we don’t have the same wartime life that our grandparents had. After they leave here today they will know that (Veterans Day) is more than just a day off school,” Daly said.
The difference in wartime life for children today, many of which were born after the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is precisely why commemorative ceremonies are important, one former Marine said.
“Unfortunately many of our Vietnam veterans came home to the states in a very hostile environment and were not honored. As young Americans, let’s not let that happen again,” he said.
For former U.S. Navy Submarine Petty Officer Russ Anderson, the key to instilling patriotism in youth is education. Veterans have a responsibility to teach younger generations the importance of the armed forces, he said.
“We are here for an important purpose. We veterans bring meaning to students by offering our lives to our country and by exposing our commitment to their edification,” said Anderson, who served in the Pacific between 1958 and 1962. “An important part of an education is to understand freedom and how we stay free.”
In an additional gesture of appreciation for active servicemen, St. Isidore students donated over 300 pounds of Halloween candy to send to troops in combat. Parents and students created approximately 1,000 bags of candy over the past week.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day before WWII, will be celebrated around the San Ramon Valley on Nov. 11. A formal program will be held at San Ramon Valley High School at 11 a.m. on Friday.
“Veteran Day
