Proud of Our Veterans

On Monday afternoon, one of our assistants asked what her son should wear to the program on Monday night. He had told her “nothing.” She knew that he wasn’t supposed to show up naked. So I told her jeans and a patriotic-colored shirt…

Last week, one of our other assistants shared that her husband’s birthday was over the weekend. As part of her birthday present to her daddy, the assistant’s daughter gave him, a veteran, her performance in Monday’s night program…

Before the performance on Monday night, one of my students left the stage crying. He was trying so very hard but he was simply overwhelmed with nerves. My PE teacher saw him leave stage and went to talk with him. After a few minutes of calming down, she encouraged him to get back on stage. And what was it that convinced him to get back up there and try again? His mom. He knew that if he could make it through the performance, then he would be able to salute his mom as part of one of our songs…

“We are proud of our veterans, proud of you all. You are patriots and heroes who answered the call. With courage, strength, and sacrifice, you saw our country through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to you…” (*insert sign language for “thank you.”)

After the program, my very anxious student walked arm in arm with his mom, still dressed in her army uniform. He had just told her thank you for being a combat veteran…

My one assistant had just watched her daughter’s whole countenance change when she saw her daddy arrive at the program from his work. Her daughter was able to give her daddy the gift of saying thank you…through music…

And my other assistant had just watched her patriotic-color-clad son salute his father, also a veteran. She wrote, “R was so proud to salute his daddy…”

“We are proud of our veterans, proud of you all. You are citizens with honor and faith standing tall. Our freedom is assured to us because you all came through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to you.” (*insert a physical salute*)

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Special Note: When I programmed the song, “Proud of our Veterans,” I knew that it would be special for our Veterans, but I had no idea how special it would be for my students. I feel honored to have been part of this experience.