A tradition began last year at Prairie Ridge Elementary. Cathy Keller, the music teacher at the school, implemented an idea to honor veterans with an outdoor concert. This year students carried the tradition on while adding to it.
Fourth-grade students at Prairie Ridge engaged in a joint learning program between the school’s music class and their general education class. The students learned about the sacrifices made by veterans while learning a medley of armed forces-themed songs, said Carole Oliphant, principal at Prairie Ridge Elementary.
After learning about what it means to be a veteran, students were asked to write letters to thank the veterans for their service.
The school invited veterans to participate in the outdoor concert. As the concert ended, students recognized the veterans in the audience and presented them with letters of gratitude and a carnation.
“This was great because when we first came back from the Vietnam Era, we were not treated well. To have this kind of ceremony, here and now, is really amazing and I am just really grateful to see this happen,” said Tom Rollins, who served in the U.S. Navy. Tom was in attendance to see his twin grandchildren sing.
