Lower School students recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the Veterans Day Assembly.
Middle School Boy Scouts present the flags to open the ceremony.
Veterans stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The 4th Grade Cantorion sings "God Bless America."
Capt. Thomas Price addresses the crowd.
Ensign Jonathan Price speaks about the military as a team.
Lower School students stand with the veterans they invited to the assembly.

1/7

Collegiate Students Honor Veterans

11/11/2016

Collegiate School students in the Middle School and Lower School honored our country's servicemen and women with separate Veterans Day observances today. (The Upper School plans to acknowledge veterans in an Assembly on Monday, Nov. 14.)

Typically on Veterans Day, Middle School Head Charlie Blair picks a compelling piece of writing for history teachers to share with their students. This year he chose a short tribute to veterans written by Ken Fisher. Mr. Fisher is chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Rockville, Maryland, that constructs “comfort homes” for families of hospitalized military personnel and veterans. Last year, representatives from the local Fisher House spoke to the Middle School at an assembly.

The Lower School held a Veterans Day Assembly and invited veterans who are family or friends of current 4th Graders. The program began with a Color Guard by Boy Scouts from Middle School. The audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then the 4th Grade Cantorion sang “God Bless America.”

Collegiate graduates Capt. Thomas Price ‘06 of the U.S. Marine Corps and Ensign Jonathan Price ‘06 of the U.S. Navy, brothers of 2nd Grade teacher Samantha Huber ‘03, spoke to the audience.

Capt. Thomas Price, who served in Afghanistan, explained what Veterans Day is and its importance. He told the students to thank the veterans in the audience and to continue to thank all veterans for their service.

Ensign Jonathan Price stepped to the microphone and added that Veterans Day reminded him of working together with his fellow sailors.

“It all comes back to teamwork,” he said. “And as members of the military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard — we’re part of the greatest team in the world.”

Then snippets from each military branch's song played as veterans in attendance were asked to stand.

In addition, JK-4th Grade students showed their appreciation for veterans by creating thank-you plaques to honor a family member or friend who has served or is serving in the military. The plaques were displayed on bulletin boards throughout the Lower School.

Back