Day 56, Regina Bartels and Shawna Lyles, Veterans Day Planning Committee

Cimarron Honors our Heroes

Outside the sun was shining and the air was crisp.  The walkway was lined with flags as far as you could see.  It was a very important day.  Monday was Veterans Day and Cimarron celebrated our honored guests with a school wide program.  

Most of our Veterans were fathers, mothers, grandfathers, uncles, and husbands of our students and staff.  The American Legion and local VFW were also honored.  Our veterans were from all branches of the military and represented WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, and the Iraq/Afghanistan wars.  They began their morning with a breakfast provided by the Cimarron faculty and PTA. 

Students filled the gym with their red, white, and blue clothing and flags waving.  Mayde Creek JROTC proudly held the colors and the auditorium erupted with cheers as the Veterans processed in.  The Cheetah choir sang three special songs of tribute and as they finished the last song, many were wiping tears from their cheeks.  Each grade level essay winner read their winning essays.  The winners were: Miles V., Carson W.,  Jacob R., Luke E., Trevor B., and Melanie C.

As the branches were called, each group of veterans stood and were given a special card and pin by the Student Council Representatives.  The gym echoed with the cheers from the students.   We also honored two very special veterans during the program.  Mr. Duane Dyer, great grandfather of Abby and Lily Sherman, celebrated his 86^th birthday yesterday! After having him stand and be recognized, the gym burst out in Happy Birthday!  

Mrs. Lyles had the honor of presenting her grandfather, Mr. Glenn Rowe with the “Most Senior Veteran” plaque.  Mr. Rowe is a WWII hero who was stationed on the USS Wolverine.  It was a priceless moment for everyone there. 

After the Fifth grade played a beautiful version of Amazing Grace on the recorder, the students lined the hallways and the Veterans were escorted on their parade route through the school! 

Before I close this blog I want to share a story from one of our Veterans.  He is 78 years old and fought in Vietnam.  He told me yesterday, with tears in his eyes, that this was the first time that he had ever been honored for serving his country.  Cimarron made a difference in the lives of so many amazing men and women. 

“To be a veteran one must know and determine one’s price for freedom.”