HOWELL – Students and staff members at the Aldrich School in Howell will salute local military veterans and their guests during the 16th annual Veterans Appreciation Assembly on Dec. 5.
The school community will honor its guests with breakfast and an assembly program. Highlights of the ceremony will include the presentation of colors by the Howell Police Department Honor Guard Unit and the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts of Aldrich School; a marching drill demonstration presented by Colts Neck High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets; student readers, patriotic songs and more.
Last year more than 60 veterans from the area attended the ceremony.
“The event is for people who are serving now or who have served in the past. We invite them to bring their guests to a breakfast which is donated by local stores,” Aldrich School Principal Drew Smith said.
Following breakfast, “we will lead the veterans into the gymnasium; the school has been decorated appropriately for the veterans and many of their pictures are on the wall. In the gym, we will begin a program that pays tribute to the veterans and their service to the country,” Smith said.
Each guest will receive a copy of the assembly program and a collection of the students’ writing as keepsakes of the day.
“At the end, we will shake the veterans’ hands or fist bump them, or just say thanks for their service,” Smith said.
The principal said he is proud the program to honor the veterans has continued for many years.
“I am even more proud of the students for all they do to honor the veterans, and equally important is that the veterans receive the accolades they deserve, and the appreciation, and their family members as well. This is a program that serves two great purposes: to educate the children and to pay tribute to the very deserving veterans for their service to our country,” Smith said.
Veterans who would like to attend the event at the Aldrich School may RSVP to Marianne Tendler at 732-751-2483, ext. 2051.