Thanks, Veterans!

By Editor | November 10, 2010 |

It’s not likely that many of the students who last week donned yellow hard hats and stood in the shape of a ribbon really understood the mission of the men and women they were honoring.
How could they comprehend international politics? What do they know of the horrors of war? How could they appreciate the sacrifices endured by our soldiers – both today and down through history?
They can’t.
But it was precisely for kids like these that men and women go to war – to protect them from harm, to give them a future, to secure a life free from fear and to preserve a nation that invites them to dream big dreams.
In fact, a number of those Jefferson Primary School students who marched onto Mark Greer Field last Thursday do have aunts and uncles or other relatives serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The yellow-hatted students formed a ribbon to commemorate those who have served in our military. They will be joined today by millions of Americans who will take part in Veteran's Day ceremonies throughout the nation. This is a day on which our nation pauses to say thanks. It is a thank-you that all too often we don't express.
Take time to participate in the Veteran's Day ceremony planned for 1:30 p.m. today at the Crawford-Hale American Legion Home in Vandalia – or at other events planned around the area.
If we do our part, maybe the kids in the yellow hard hats will come to really understand why we recognize and honor our veterans.
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Students at Jefferson Primary School last Thursday donned yellow hard hats and gathered on the Vandalia Community High School football field to form a ribbon. Pictures of that human ribbon will be sent to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as a show of support.