Local veterans, active duty military personnel, and community members headed to local schools on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day to join students in celebrating and honoring individuals who have “put it all on the line” as U.S. service members.

Tecumseh High School’s Air Force JROTC OH-881 unit (AFJROTC) started the cold, clear morning by hosting a ceremonial flag folding at 7:30 am at the flagpole in front of Tecumseh High School. Students and community members watched as AFJROTC members folded a U.S. flag in the manner done at military funerals. Many attendees became emotional as the unit’s director, Major Doug Couch, related what each fold represented during the presentation. After the ceremony, AFJROTC members personally thanked each veteran for their service and sacrifices.

AFJROTC Staff Sgt. Chris Shamy says the ceremony was special because it was unique, “The flag folding ceremony is different from what (the unit) usually does...it was great for people to hear what the folds meant and to honor our veterans in a different way.”

Guest speaker and Arrow Alumni honoree, Dr. Andrew Burns (Class of 2002) spoke to Tecumseh Middle School students about the importance of focusing on helping others and taking pride in one’s self.

Northwestern Local School District’s high school students wrote and sent letters to local veterans. The district’s elementary students invited a family member or a family friend who served or is currently in active-duty in the military to join them for a complimentary lunch held during the school day. Vets also received certificates of appreciation from the students. Over 200 military personnel attended Northwestern’s activities.

Tecumseh’s elementary students also hosted special events.

Donnelsville Elementary continued its tradition of inviting veterans to have breakfast with students. Afterwards, a formal program was held. Veterans were recognized by their branch of service, then many eyes became misty as the entire student body sang “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America.” The program ended with students reading aloud letters and reciting poems expressing gratitude to the veterans for their service. Some vets stayed to visit classrooms so they could answer students’ questions about their military service and read patriotic and military-themed stories to the children.

Navy veteran, Paul Slater, joined his young son, Troy, at Donnelsville. Slater appreciates how the district takes time to tell vets, “Hey, you did a good thing, and we thank you for it.” Slater was also one of the vets who read to students.

New Carlisle Elementary began its ceremony with two students reading personal essays titled “What is a Veteran?” Audience members were visibly moved when the whole student body sang Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American.” Veterans then shared their name, their branch of service, and when they served. The students who invited them were also recognized. The program ended with the students singing a medley of service theme songs, during which veterans were invited to stand during their branch’s theme, as were students who had someone in their family who served in that branch.

Park Layne Elementary opened their program with a student-led singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Veterans introduced themselves and the students who invited them to the program. First graders sang “America” before Kindergarten teacher and veteran, SSG Angie Towner, introduced guest speaker, SSG (Retired) Matt Towner, from the U.S. Army. Principal Mrs. Karyl Strader read an excerpt from the book “H is for Honor” before presenting the book to kindergartner, Faith Williams, whose father, Amy Staff Sgt. Wesley Williams (THS 2005 grad), was killed in Afghanistan in 2012 by an improvised explosive device. A video entitled “Thank you, Veterans!” played as students returned to class and veterans enjoyed a reception in the school’s gymnasium.

Veterans appreciated the efforts the schools put into honoring them, with many commenting on how much it means to know they are not forgotten and that what they fought for still matters.

Air Force veteran Dr. Natalie Higgenbotham, who joined her great-nephew, Christopher Taylor, at New Carlisle Elementary, says she appreciates how the district brought people together for a common cause. “I’m speaking from my heart,” says Dr. Higgenbotham, “We are in a turbulent time in our nation, and I just want these young ones to know that we are all still Americans first. Everything else falls behind that. On 9/11, when those twin towers fell, no one cared what color you were, what your gender was...they were Americans and that was all that mattered...it’s still the most important thing that matters.”