Local News
Saluting local veterans
Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: November 10, 2012
SEBRING Sun 'N Lake Elementary School is the Home of the Yellow Jackets, but red, white and blue were the colors of the day for the school's Veterans Day program, which was held Friday morning in the front parking lot.Published: November 10, 2012
The younger students wore handmade paper hats with stars and stripes, and many had small American flags.
A gathering of about 100 parents and grandparents attended the 45-minute program that included patriotic music sung by the students.
"It's a beautiful ceremony," said Tonia Parker, who noted it was also a cool day for last year's Veterans Day Program at the school.
She came to see her grandson, Bryce Parker, who is in the second-grade and in the Cub Scout Pack that would raise the flag.
Near the end of the program, the veterans in the audience were invited to come forward and be recognized.
About 25 veterans received an ovation.
U.S. Navy veteran David Ivy and his wife, Jacki, attend the school's Veterans Day program every year.
"I've got a first-grader, got a fourth-grader and a fifth-grader," he said. "I like the ceremony; it's well done; I like the songs.
"Our kids have been singing the 'Star Spangled Banner' all week. I heard them singing it and practicing it in the bedroom, all three of them."
Before the program started, patriotic songs from various eras were played on the outdoor public address system, including the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)."
Fifth-grader Andrew Messer, who was handing out programs, said he has heard "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" before at his grandmother's.
The kindergarten and first-graders sang "Oh I love America" by Teresa Jennings.
The fourth- and fifth-graders sang a medley of patriotic songs from the "American Dream Finale" by Roger Emerson and John Jacobson.
The second- and third-graders sang "Thank You Soldiers" by Michael and Angela Souders.
The Sun 'N Lake Chorus sang "We Celebrate America" and "A Grateful Nation" both by Teresa Jennings.
Lanita Roth's fifth-grade class read "In Flanders Fields" by Lt. Co. John McRae.
The school's front office clerk, Chad Johns, drew an appreciative applause for his moving rendition of "Praise You in This Storm," a Counting Crowns song written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms.
The Sebring High School JROTC presented the colors.
Principal Linda Laye recited the poem "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" by Jennifer McKay and Assistant Principal.
Assistant Principal Margie Rhodes provided the background history on Veterans Day.
mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826