Meridian Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 11. During the course of the program, every elementary grade level contributed to the program. Approximately 50 Veterans from the communities were present.
The program began with the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Pack 36 members Dominic Hight and Mason Helfer. Next, the entire student body sang the national anthem. Third grade students then presented the background of the Pledge of Allegiance and then led the gym in reciting the pledge.
In preparation for the program, fifth grade students all wrote an essay titled, What is a Veteran? Emersyn Wells, Reyna Gaddis, and Noah Hall read their essays during the program. Fourth grade students including Davis Chappel, Jaxon Perrey, Cameron Kotula, Kennedy Clark, Brooklyn Bardfield, and Leighton Johnson presented the history of the military salute and the symbolism of a yellow ribbon. Boy Scout Pack 36 members Henry Moyer, Jackson Cross, Lukas Southerland, and Jennings Beasley shared the meaning of folding a flag. The group folded an American flag and then presented the flag to current MES teacher, Carrie Gorden, as she is a veteran of the Illinois Air Guard. Fifth grade student Elizabeth Noland presented the significance of Taps as junior Lily Jibben played Taps on her trumpet.
To close the program, elementary principal Sarah Major shared her personal connections to several veterans within her family, including her father who had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. on an honor flight.