A sea of red, white and blue blanketed half of the Preston auditorium as grandparents and veterans were welcomed to Preston Elementary’s annual Veterans Day Program.
Principal Angeloni was happy to open the program by thanking students and staff for their preparation and hard work, and all veterans, grandparents and honored guests for coming to the school. Students then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Music teacher Mr. List conducted patriotic songs, sung by various classes. The Star-Spangled Banner, The Brave, Armed Forces Salute, and God Bless the USA were performed by the third, fourth, and fifth grade chorus. Students in kindergarten, first and second grades sang Thank A Vet, Oh, I Love America, and This Land Is Your Land.
Third grade students Jeremy Cody, Chloe Cathcart, Wren Swann, Reid Plugge, Lailah Stabley, and Olivia Winchester each took the microphone to read their individual “Letter to Our Veterans”. Other student readers included Caleb Hall, Maeley Rogers, Delano Luceti, Cullen Willis, Kennedy Tucker, Hadleigh Blackwell, and Jasmyn McDonald.
During a flag ceremony, students Chase Gasser, Willow Willis, Lucas Steenken, Jay’Ceion Cannon, and Sailor Schmitt acted as Armed Forces Flag Bearers.
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Joe Voshell, U.S. Army, served as the event’s honored guest speaker and excelled at connecting the shared spirit of service across professions, including education. MSG Voshell proudly served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1980. During his 20 years of service, he was stationed abroad in Korea, Italy, Vietnam and Germany, and stateside in South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
Photos from the event may be found on the CCPS Flickr page.