HONORED — Members of the Bruce Wayne Osborne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7034 present the colors, as the Glade Creek Chorus sings "I Pledge Allegiance," during the Veterans Day Assembly at Glade Creek Elementary School, one of three programs hosted by schools last week to honor vets.

Veterans honored by local schools

"Not until the attacks on America did I actually see patriotism," Samantha Stolt told last week's Veterans Day assembly in the new Alleghany High School gym, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist acts. "People were flying the American flag, singing the national anthem and not talking during the Pledge of Allegiance. I thought that we as a nation were united. The sad thing is, look what we had to go through in order to achieve this unity."

Indeed, with the United States involved with wars and rumors of wars since last year, Alleghany County's celebration of Veterans Day expanded this year, with three programs at local schools. The schools and community paid tribute to veterans, particularly those with local ties, with speeches and recitations by pupils as well as musical performances.

Members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7034 presented and posted the colors at all three programs: at the Sparta Elementary School auditorium Nov. 7, and at Glade Creek Elementary School's gym and Alleghany High School's gym Nov. 8.

At Sparta Elementary

The AHS Trojan Pride Band performed a medley at both SES and the high school, featuring patriotic tunes as well as "Amazing Grace." The flag corps supplemented the band with choreography, including a tribute to the heroes and victims of Sept. 11, 2001 to the tune of "New York, New York."

At Sparta School, pupils Emily Busic and Elizabeth Wyatt spoke on the topic "My Pledge to America," while Brandon Hawks and Hannah Duncan offered essays on "What Veterans Day Means to Me."

("My Pledge to America" was the topic of a recent essay contest held by the VFW; the pupils whose essays were featured last week were some of the contest winners.)

"Even though we all have differences, we are united in our love for our country," said Busic.

"I pledge as an American to use my freedom constructively," Wyatt said, "to always honor America for the strong nation it is and will remain."

Hawks used war–related imagery in his speech and said, "Veterans Day is a brief moment in time that helps us remember the things we take for granted every day."

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