On Monday, Nov. 12, Sanborn Central and Woonsocket schools both conducted a program to honor, support and thank local veterans in Sanborn County. Sanborn Central started with a program at 9 a.m. It was led with a welcome from Superintendent Siemsen and then a beautiful performance of the Star Spangled Banner by Dayton Easton.

The rest of the program was organized and presented by the Sanborn Central Student Council under the guidance of their advisor, Mr. Flatten. Sam Dean started with a welcome to everyone who came on behalf of the student council and a thank you to all the veterans present at the program. Madi Moody, Student Council Vice-President, then gave an explanation of the history behind the creation and the meaning of Veterans Day.

Student council member Alexis Kelly read some patriotic poetry, and another student council member, Katie Schmit, read a declaration of freedom. The fifth and sixth graders, under the direction of choir teacher, Jenny Easton, sang “Sacrifices Made,” and then Student Council President Alex Wormstadt gave the main address about what Veterans Day means to him. 

The program ended with a short video put together by the student council featuring students from all different grade levels in Sanborn Central School. Before leaving the gym, all the students shook hands with all the veterans in attendance for the program.

Woonsocket’s Veterans Day program took place at 2 p.m. on Monday. The American Legion Post 29 started the program posting the colors, and the entire crowd recited The Pledge of Allegiance with Kaitlyn Swenson leading them. Superintendent Rod Weber welcomed everyone and asked the veterans in attendance to introduce themselves.

In Woonsocket, the sixth grade is responsible for organizing and putting on the program for this annual event. They presented red and white carnations to the veterans who were able to make it to the program. Eli Fry read the Presidential Proclamation acknowledging Veterans Day for 2018.

The Woonsocket band students then performed “Armed Forces on Parade: a Service Medley” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” The sixth grade students followed with a presentation about the origin of Veterans Day, and a few fifth grade students read Veterans Day poetry. The fifth and sixth grade students then did a cheer together for the veterans.

The elementary students in kindergarten through fourth grades performed the song by Lee Greenwood titled “Proud to Be an American” using sign language while they sang the words. The sixth grade then performed the American Flag Fold, explaining the meaning of the flag folding process and what each fold stands for. 

The program in Woonsocket ended with the fifth and sixth grade Veterans Day chorus singing “American Tears” and the American Legion Post 29 retiring the colors after the playing of Taps with a moment of silence to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.

…See pictures of the programs in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal.