The Garretson area has a long history of service to the US Armed forces. Local families have generations of those who have answered the call to serve, so it’s only natural that we host two programs locally.
At 2:15 on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Garretson School, they started by with an All School Assembly, honoring and thanking our veterans. Across the street starting at 5 p.m. the Henry G. Fix Post #23 hosted their Veteran’s Day service, dinner and social hour.
The All-School Veteran’s Day program featured calls to the ideals of Americans, the ideas of liberty, freedom, kindness, and diversity. Elementary students had recorded quotes from prior presidents, including John F Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, Franklin D Roosevelt, and Barack Obama, and after each quote, gave a short speech on what those quotes and ideals meant. Sophomores Morgan Pierret and Jaelyn Benson specified what each part of the Pledge of Allegiance meant.
The history of Armistice Day, 9-11, and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural address were given, and the audience had a moment of silence for those lives lost in wars while bugler Gentry Sanders played “Taps.” The High School Band played “To Honor America” under the direction of Nick Sittig, the High School Choir sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” and the Elementary School Choir sang “On Veteran’s Day” under the direction of Erika Brown. After the retiring of the colors by the Henry G Fix #23 American Legion Color Guard, students individually thanked each of the veterans for their service.
