Today is Veteran’s Day, here in America. Every country has their own version, I suppose. Decades and centuries and eons have found man fighting himself to expand borders and protect what he already possessed. Real estate has caused some mighty big heartache down through the ages.
Veteran’s Day is a pretty big deal, here in our town. We have, after all, offered many of our best sons and daughters to go off to places like Europe and the Middle East to fight for our freedoms. We did not offer them carelessly, but were proud of their service and proud of our country, whose flag they represented.
So when this day rolls around in November, no town or school approaches the day with more patriotism than we at Wing Public School. Our music and band teacher, Mrs. Morrison, spends weeks teaching sweet songs of patriot pride to our little darlings. The high school band, all twenty-eight of them (which pretty much comprises the entire high school), and the high school choir get in on the act as well. Such offerings as, "The Star-Spangled Banner," Lee Greenwood’s, “God Bless the U.S.A,” and “The Brandenburg Gate,” all declare our love of country, and pride in those that served her. There are also dramatic readings given by sweet high school girls, with titles like, Heroes Died For Me, Freedom Is Not Free, and The Bravest Man I Know.
We place our right hands reverently over our hearts and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, lead by the cherubic kindergarteners, their little voices soft in the vastness of the gymnasium.
Because we are more Dugger Family on steroids than expansive school, all of our students (only 109 total), take part in the solemn festivities. Such a sweet sight…big high schoolers sharing the risers with angelic primary children. They all know one another. Many of their parents are friends with each other, so socializing outside of school hours in not uncommon.
I got such a huge bang out of one kindergartner in particular. During their rendition of God Bless America, this little mite of thing, probably all of thirty pounds when her shoes are caked in mud, would belt out the line,”Gahhhd bless A-merica, (her voice trailing off, then BOOM!) “Gahhhd bless A-merica…” It was her favorite part, apparently.
When the band takes center stage, a collage of songs from the various branches of the military are played. The veterans attending are invited to stand during the song from the branch of military they served in. It was touching to see them stand, some a bit shakily, and place a weathered hand over heart, a thousand memories flooding their minds, I suppose. Buddies lost and horrors experienced that will forever be a part of the warp and woof of their lives.
During the last song played by the band, my precious first graders, who were joined by the second grade, walked in single file to stand in front of the band, waving small American flags and grinning like they were finalists on American Idol. I beamed as though I had given birth to each and every one of them myself. So adorable, they were…
Taps was played with the proper amount of solemnity by one of my daughter’s best friends. I was so glad to see that Mrs. Morrison chose to have it played live vs. perfect prerecorded version. It only adds to the charm when there are a few missed notes.
Here’s where I love this school so much, I can hardly bear it, or express it adequately. The poison of political correctness has not permeated our idyllic island… yet. On Veteran’s Day we sing God Bless America with sweet abandon. For the Christmas program, (and yes, we call it our Christmas program), we listen to songs about the Savior’s birth.
My family moved to North Dakota from the liberal bastion of Vermont. Political correctness was worshipped ideology there. So when my children started school and I discovered that the philosophy here was like something out of a 50’s sitcom, I was pleasantly, joyously surprised. I about fell over when my oldest child came home with a New Testament, and said the school superintendent had handed them out to all the graduating eighth graders. What…. At SCHOOL?? This practice no longer happens, and I have seen a few other very non-PC customs go by the wayside (sadly), but for the most part, we do as we wish, and no repercussions have haunted us yet.
We love our country, our town, our school, and our children. We love them more than anything. Some of those very children will grow up to enlist in our nation’s military. And they themselves will stand with wobbly gait, weathered hand over proud heart, and gladly identify themselves with veterans everywhere.
I salute you, my nations veterans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice that has afforded me such a life of rich blessing and prosperity. I am living and enjoying the American Dream every single day, thanks to you. God bless you for your service.
If you ever happen to find yourself in my little town for Veteran’s Day, please come enjoy a sweet reminder that you are applauded and appreciated.
Will enthusiastic kindergartners still be singing God Bless America at such a time? I fervently hope so…
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