Every Year the Green Ridge R-VIII School District holds Veteran's Day events to honor and celebrate the veterans in our community and those across the nation.
Grace Le, Historian of the Green Ridge R-VIII FBLA chapter wrote up an article that recounts this year's events:
"Every year, the Green Ridge R-VIII school holds festivities celebrating the veterans in our community on Veterans Day. Preparations for this day are made weeks in advance, with every grade level making art for our veterans, some high school English classes making essays of appreciation for them, and a wall with photos of those who are related to students. Everyone pitches in a helping hand to ensure the best day we can provide for the servicemen in our lives, the Future Business Leaders of America, Green Ridge chapter, especially helping to organize this significant event.
In the hours before the assembly, veterans were welcomed into the school cafeteria and served a hot breakfast. FBLA members worked hard to ensure their satisfaction, bringing their drinks and food directly to them as they ate at patriotically decorated tables. After breakfast was served, they were led to the school gymnasium, where rows of seats were set for them as students eagerly awaited their arrival in the bleachers. The second through sixth grade students sang “A Grateful Nation” for the vets, followed by a welcoming speech by Mallory Reed, a Presentation of the Colors by the Green Ridge Sons of the American Legion chapter, the pledge of allegiance led by Nicole Rounds, the national anthem sung by the junior high and high school choirs and more. Guest speaker Barry White gave a stunning speech about his time at war, encapsulating everyone in the descriptive words of his story as he told it. The rest of the procession includes “The Armed Forces Medley” sung by the Green Ridge “Harmony,” a speech and moment of silence for the POW/MIA table from school superintendent Brett Hieronymus, TAPS played on the trumpet by Miley Hayes, and the closing speech done by Mallory Reed.
Thanks to the contributions of our national heroes, every member of the Green Ridge R-VIII family could have the opportunity to put together this celebration for them. From the smallest kindergarten students, to the fiercest seniors, every piece of energy devoted to the protectors of our land on this singular day could not duly show our gratitude for their time serving in our names. Although we cannot hold these festivities for them every day, these people will be celebrated every day in the hearts and minds of every American across the nation."