Veterans Celebrated By Carrie E. Tompkins School Students, Staff
From the Croton-Harmon school district
Our nation pauses today to give our thanks and respect to the more than 17 million veterans who have served our country. Here in Croton-on-Hudson, students and faculty at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School celebrated local veterans with a car parade through the school’s front circle, including many students who were learning remotely and participated virtually.
Students made signs and waved flags and streamers as veterans, including a district employee and a grandfather of a CET student, drove through.
The event was organized by the school’s Kindness Club whose mission is to spread kindness to CET and the greater community and to show students the impact that being kind can have on everyone.
Several teachers talked about how moved they were as the song, “Proud To Be An American” blared through the speaker. When asked why it was important to do a parade for our veterans, one kindergartner student summed it up perfectly: “Because they’ve done so much for us,” he said.
The Kindness Club is overseen by teachers Marlena Horton and Ana Maria Strattner. Mrs. Horton said that the club felt strongly that they needed to do something to honor veterans, even in this time of Covid.
“Last year we were able to have a large school assembly and several Veterans attended. We did not want them to think we forgot them this year, so we planned a safe way to have them come,” explained Mrs. Horton. “We feel it is very important for our students to learn why we celebrate Veteran’s Day and that’s it not just a day off from school.”
Mrs. Strattner said that she was thrilled with the reactions of the students.
“We are so proud of our kids! It brought tears to our eyes seeing the happy expressions and excitement of the Veterans, getting the recognition they deserve,” said Ms. Strattner.
Mrs. Horton added, “It was also nice to have an event involving so many kids coming safely, together. We have not been able to have any assemblies or large group gatherings so it was great having kindergarten and fourth grades attend.”
All of us here in the Croton-Harmon School District appreciate our veterans and active duty soldiers, as well as their families, for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf.
This article originally appeared on the Ossining-Croton-On-Hudson Patch
