By - Dannie Newman
Dawson-Bryant Elementary had a wonderful Veterans Day program hosted by the American Legion. Students participated in activities throughout the day and were given the opportunity to shake the hand of a Veteran to personally show their appreciation. However, remembering that Veterans are Veterans all year long, our students are taking the time to provide the school with names of family members and friends who are veterans or currently serving in active-duty. Elementary Counselor Dannie Newman works with students to place these names on a tree in the main hall to continue to honor and show support for these veterans and service members throughout the holidays. More than 225 names are currently on the tree.
Patricia Moore, Intervention Specialist at DBE, joined in with a local organization called Marine Corps Family Support Group to provide care packages to active-duty service members that included cards made by Dawson-Bryant students. The organization participated in the Operation Santa program to provide personal items, food, small gifts and hand-made greetings to more than 360 deployed service members.
In fifth grade students have a “Hero Board” to honor those veterans of today and of the past. Students are taught at the beginning of the year about what a real hero is….. when many students think musicians or sport stars are heroes, it is taught that heroes are those who sacrifice, give unselfishly and put their life on the line for our country. Students and well as teacher have brought in pictures of family and friends who have served in the armed services. Many of the pictures are men and women from current tours but some pictures go back to WWII. The board was started by one of the fifth grade teacher who had Justin Allen as a student in fifth grade. Justin is the heart of her board and a way of honoring Justin Allen for his services. Justin was an Army Ranger who lost his life this summer serving his country…… He is one of our heroes!
Also, William Jordan of the American Legion has asked other DBE students to make Veterans cards to be taken to local nursing homes for Veterans residing there. These cards will be thanking these courageous soldiers for their past sacrifices. DBE will be doing special activities for active-duty soldiers all through the holidays and into 2011.