Veterans honored at BIC East

Veterans were honored on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at Buffalo Island Central East elementary.

Sixth grade students formed a color guard and presented the colors at the beginning of the program and retrieved the colors at the end of the program. Members of the color guard were Moisses Arellano, Will Jackson, Brenda Vasquez, Brandy Clayton, Beau Weeks and David Huddleston. Alex Talavera was the caller for the color guard.

Fifth and sixth grade students sang several patriotic songs including the National Anthem, This Land Is your Land, and God Bless the U.S.A., led by Stacey Qualls.

Jill Sanders welcomed veterans, parents, and other guests.

Cory Turner and Madison Brown described to the crowd the definition of a veteran.

Lisa Johnson lit a candle and asked everyone to observe a moment of silence for those veterans who have given their lives in service to their country.

Drew McFall introduced the veterans who attended the program.

Trace Carmichael and Dylan Mitchell explained the origins of Veterans Day and Shyla Clayton read about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The BIC East sixth grade students took part in the Patriot's Pen Youth Essay Competition sponsored by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary. This is a national patriotic writing competition, and this year's theme was "Does Patriotism Still Matter?" Stephanie Atchley read her essay at the program.

BIC East Elementary would like to especially thank all of the veterans for their service to their country.