Honoring Our Veterans…Ft. Gay Elementary School

Honoring Our Veterans

Fort Gay Pre K-8 School held their annual Veteran’s Day ceremony to honor local veterans from the community on Thursday, November 9, 2023.  The school takes pride in honoring the veterans and looks forward to this event every year.  The school invites the local veterans and their families to be a part of the ceremony.  This year’s program was spearheaded by Kamala Messer, a 4^th grade teacher at the school, along with the Title I department.  

Opening remarks were presented by Mrs. Messer, as she welcomed all the veterans to the school.  She asked the veterans to stand in a round of applause for their recognition.  Mrs. Angel Stroud, a middle school math teacher at the school, took to the podium to say prayer and ask for blessings for all the veterans and those still serving today.  After the prayer was given, the Tolsia High school JROTC then presented the colors for the ceremony while the Tolsia High School band played the National Anthem.  

Many students took part in the ceremony as well.  The preschool classes lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and passed out thank you cards to the veterans in attendance.  The band played “My Country Tis of Thee”.  The 5^th grade music classes, under the direction of Mason Anderson, performed a few songs including “America the Beautiful” and “The War Cry of Freedom”. 

The students of the 4^th grade classes presented the “White Table” display explaining the significance of each part of the table setting.  The “White Table” setting represents the men and woman who are no longer with us.  Each part of the table setting is symbolic of their loss.  The table is set for one symbolizing that they are missing form our ranks; the tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their intentions; a black napkin is placed symbolizing the sorrow of captivity; a single red rose in a vase signifies the blood that has been lost; a slice of lemon is placed on the plate as a reminder of their bitter fate; salt is sprinkled on the plate to symbolize the fallen tears of their families; the glass is turned upside down because they are no longer here to toast with us, and the chair is empty because they are not with us.  

After the performances, Mrs. Messer called Terry Sellers to the podium. During his speech, Mr. Sellers defined what it meant to be a veteran.  He discussed the sacrifices that soldiers must make for their country.  He welcomed fellow veterans to demonstrate the folding of flag and an explanation of what each fold represented. 

Sargent Major Francis closed out the ceremony.  He spoke about what it meant to be in the service and the honor that cannot be described if you choose to fight for your country’s freedom.  He said it is an honor to your nation.  The spoke of his background and his tours of duty in Iraq and his services which included time at the White House.  Sargent Major thanked the veterans in attendance again for their service.  Sargent Major also thanked the school and community for honoring all the veterans.

The program was followed by a banquet for the veterans and their families.