Schools will hold events to celebrate Veterans Day
Events to shed light on holiday
To show support and in memory of veterans, Columbia County schools are conducting numerous events to celebrate Veterans Day.
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On Thursday, Columbia Middle School will hold a Veterans Day program for its pupils to honor residents of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Former Marine and paralympian Scott Winkler will be the guest speaker.
"We want the students to recognize the importance and the significance of Veterans Day. ... We want them to recognize that we owe our thanks to the veterans for so many of our freedoms," said Deborah Domenico, the graduation coach at Columbia Middle School.
On Friday, Lakeside Middle School will hold its 10th Annual Veterans Day Celebration.
The event will feature Fort Gordon commander Brig. Gen. Jeff Foley as the keynote speaker. A naval group will conduct a bell ceremony representing sailors lost in war.
"We want the students to gain an appreciation for the very fact that to be able to live in a free society, all of the freedoms we take for granted, somebody gave it all for that and I don't want them to forget that," said Lakeside Middle School Principal Felicia Turner, .
Other Veterans Day events include:
Evans Elementary School will hold its annual Patriotic Parade at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the school parking lot, with guests from the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home
On Tuesday, Harlem Middle School's ceremony will feature Sgt. Pat Newman of the U.S. Army Band at 9 a.m. Then, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Lakeside High School Wind Ensemble will perform with the U.S. Army Band at Alexander Hall on Fort Gordon. The guest speaker for the event will be retired Navy Vice Adm. Chuck Munns.
Also on Tuesday, River Ridge Elementary will hold a pot luck dinner for all military families at 5:30 p.m. the school. Families are to bring side dishes.
Evans Middle School will hold their Veterans Day services on Nov. 12 at 8 a.m. First Sgt. Ronnie Brown, a representative from the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, will be the guest speaker.
"It is an important thing for the students to appreciate the cost and the dedication of the people who have served our country," said Barbara Riffle, an Evans Middle School guidance counselor.