Veterans of Many Wars Honored by Area Students

California Trail Middle School held its second annual flag-raising ceremony on Nov. 9. Staff member Robert Finch (right), an Army veteran, and Enrique Colon-Aviles raised the American flag as staff member Stewart Alloway played “Taps.”

A student whose father served in the military came dressed for the occasion at California Trail. Students received a small U.S. flag to wave during the Veterans Day event. The Women’s Chorale sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before veterans were introduced by their student relatives.

Boy Scout Troop 3087 presented the flags for Cedar Creek Elementary’s Veterans Day tribute. A portion of the event honored Pfc. Cale Miller, a former Cedar Creek student, who died earlier this year while serving in Afghanistan. First-grade teacher Rebecca Downing’s father built a bench honoring Miller which will be placed in the school’s butterfly garden.

Cedar Creek’s fourth-graders sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and a song representing each branch of the military. Guest veterans stood when their branch of the service was mentioned.

A Prairie Trail Middle School soloist performed as part of the school’s joint Veterans Day celebration with Olathe Northwest High School. All Prairie Trail students visited Olathe Northwest for the event which included performances by several musical groups, presentation of the flags by the Prairie Trail Boy Scouts, recognition of veterans, and The Pledge of Allegiance.

Submitted photo

The Prairie Trail men’s chorus performed during an event at Olathe Northwest. Several students read poems or spoke about the history of Veterans Day, the significance of poppy flowers, etc. The event was capped off with everyone singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” thanks to its lyrics on a large screen.