Photos by Harrison Schmitt Elementary Teacher Mercy Leyba and Mary Alice Murphy
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Posters by the students lined the halls. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Another poster of patriotism. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
A thank you to veterans. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
More patriotism. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
From left are four teachers who are veterans, Aaron Swatzell, 6th Grade History; Debbie Door, 2nd Grade; Jessica Hoffman, 6th Grade Math; and Chad Martin, Physical Education. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Photo by Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Vietnam Veterans of America Color Guard posts the colors. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
The audience at the first performance. Photo by teacher Mercy Leyba
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Principal Leslie Ormand announces the program.
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Students sign to God Bless the USA.
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Sixth grade musical flutes, taught by Mrs. Rhonda Billings
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Students with cards spell out America.
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Students put their hands over their hearts
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
Third graders, in order, put together, a poem, with each saying a few words and passing the microphone
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
The poem progresses
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
The whole group of poem performers
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
The guest speaker was Jeremy Gonzales, veteran. He spoke and read a poem modeled after 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, with Santa as the narrator about discovering an American soldier fighting in a far-off land.
Harrison Schmitt Elementary holds Veterans' Day celebration 111017
A patriotic wreath created by Trish Medina.
At the Harrison Schmitt Elementary School Veterans' Day program, Jeremy Gonzales, veteran, was the guest speaker. "You guys should be proud. This is one of the best Veterans' Day programs I've seen."
"Today we honor our veterans," Gonzales said. "We enjoy our freedoms because of veterans' sacrifices. It will well worth going into the right, because we know our family and friends are safe. We have a personal relationship with the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance."
He then read a poem, written by a veteran that was modeled on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas." It was told from the viewpoint of Santa Claus who comes upon a sleeping American soldier, with a floor for his bed in a far-off land away from his family at Christmas.
School Principal Leslie Ormand asked for a moment of silence for fallen soldiers. The first, second and third graders were quiet and still.