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Students honor veterans

Rain fell on their parade but it did not dampen the spirits of Brooks Elementary students, faculty and parents who participated in the school’s annual Veteran’s Day program last week.

Approximately 40 veterans and their families representing all branches of the military took part in the school’s celebration.

The festivities kicked off with a brunch for the veterans followed by an assembly featuring patriotic songs sung by various grade levels, the Presentation of the Colors by the Sandy Creek Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard and a skit explaining the meaning of being a veteran presented by the fifth grade.

Although rain prevented the students and veterans from parading through downtown Brooks, they took their floats, banners and flags inside and marched around the school. Even with the rain, school officials deem their traditional Veteran’s Day celebration a success.

“I thought it was very successful,” says teacher and event organizer Laurie Byars. “The children enjoyed it so much. It is so nice to see that the children have an understanding of what Veteran’s Day is all about.”

Students spent the last several weeks studying about veterans and Veteran’s Day in preparation for the annual celebration. All grade levels conducted classroom activities leading up to the event so that students would have a clear understanding about why Veteran’s Day is an important holiday.

The day’s festivities wound up with a community picnic at the school. Performances by dancer Lydia Stevens, the Brooks United Methodist Church Choir, Chord Busters and Music Alive entertained picnic goers.

This year’s celebration marked the fourth year for the picnic and third for the parade. The Veteran’s Day celebration tradition started when former principal Harry Sweatman, a veteran who served one tour of duty in Vietnam, wanted to do something to honor the community’s veterans. In 2000, the school organized the first community picnic. It was such a success that the school added the parade in 2001.