Sunday, November 18, 2001
Patriotism Lives in Our Schools
By Cumberland Times
The honor guard from the American Legion Farrady Post 24 participates in a ceremony held by students at Beall Elementary School as part of their Veterans Day activities. Students aren't used to seeing adults cry. The students at Beall Elementary are no exception as they stared curiously at many of their teachers, principal and veterans shedding tears on Veterans Day. The reason for the open displays of emotion was pride. The school was proud of Bob Ashby, fifth-grade teacher and Vietnam War veteran. The audience was proud of its country. "When you compare something that we can do today for you with everything you've done, it's not enough," said Beall Principal Janet Wilson of Ashby. While the students were able to express their emotions through the various songs they sang honoring the veterans in the audience, the adults showed their emotions with tears. Patriotism is in open, proud display in the schools. Students who never truly understood war and its consequences are now bonding with their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents through expressions of patriotism.
Katie Ottaviani and Jamie Simpson, Bel Air Elementary School fifth-graders, learn how to raise the flag properly. Potomac Council Boy Scout Senior District Executive Ray Eschenbach salutes the flag. Other students pictured are Boy and Girl Scouts who attend the school. At South Penn Elementary, second-graders honored the veterans in their families with patriotic songs and poems. The fourth-graders shared a Reader's Theater titled "O'er the Ramparts," read persuasive writing pieces, and presented visiting veterans with a poem about freedom and a red, white and blue pin. At West Side Elementary, Art Isom, third-grade teacher and veteran, conducted a flag-raising ceremony with the students. Other schools, like Beall High and Eckhart School, recognized the veterans on their staffs and faculties with an awards ceremony. Vietnam veteran and environmental science teacher Ken Baxter was among those recognized at Beall High. He said of his war experience, "I was glad to get back to the U.S. of A. People right now, considering current events, need to know that our failure to sustain in Vietnam resulted in 2 million deaths after Americans left Southeast Asia." At the Center for Career and Technical Education, a veteran on the school faculty or staff was recognized each day with a morning announcement that outlined his service record. He was also awarded a blue star to be displayed in his class or office.
Students at Bel Air Elementary School wave flags to display their patriotism as part of a program conducted by the Potomac Council boy Boy Scouts of America. Frost Elementary held a musical performance that featured patriotic music to honor the students' family members who are veterans. Patriotism isn't only being manifested for Veterans Day. School bands are playing more patriotic music like "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "God Bless the U.S.A.," and the students are learning the meaning and stories behind the lyrics of songs like "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "You're a Grand Old Flag." Student groups are writing letters of thanks to New York City firefighters and police, and raising funds to help the families of the victims of the terrorism. In a recent Allegany County Board of Education meeting, board member Jane Dawson asked, "Has (the terrorist attacks) made the students realize the value of the freedom we have here?" Supervisor of Social Studies Mary Louise Jones quickly replied, "Oh my, yes." Dawson said, "Where did (the students) lose (their sense of patriotism) as they go up the line and why did we need Sept. 11th to bring it back to us?"