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George Ward Elementary School program honors veterans

The Inter-Mountain photo by Beth Henry-Vance George Ward Elementary School hosted a veterans program Thursday morning to honor military men and women for their service. Shown here at the end of the assembly are Mill Creek veteran Charles Daniels and one of his great-nieces, fourth-grader Audrey Harlan.

MILL CREEK — More than 40 local veterans were honored Thursday morning by George Ward Elementary School students and staff, who shared songs, special readings, pictures and lots of applause with the hometown heroes.

The students had invited family members who served in any branch of the military, and the veterans were treated to breakfast before the special assembly at the school.

Each veteran received a certificate to thank them for their service to the country, as well as drawings and artwork created by students. Members of the school’s Student Council sang “America the Beautiful,” while other students shared essays and patriotic readings to honor everyone who served.

Students also got to see a presentation on properly folding the American flag, as well as the meaning of each step of the folding process. This was presented by Charles Ranew, Dennis Calain and Lenny Whritenour, members of American Legion Post 29.

“This is our fourth or fifth year (doing the flag presentation). We love it,” Calain said following the assembly.

Whritenour agreed that it’s a wonderful event, for the children as well as the veterans.

“They’re very enthusiastic,” he added, referencing the thunderous applause children gave for each and every veteran named during the program.

Mill Creek veteran Charles Daniels, who has four young relatives who attend George Ward Elementary, said he has enjoyed the veterans assembly for the past few years, and he appreciates the support from the local school and community.

He and his wife, Kathy, attended the program, as well as the breakfast beforehand, with their great-nieces and great-nephew: fifth-grader Lindsey Tackett, first-grader Hailey Tackett; fourth-grader Audrey Harlan; and first-grader Brody Harlan.

Lindsey Tackett said she enjoyed this year’s program as well.

“I thought it was great; it was really organized, and there were lots of veterans,” she said.

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