Veterans honored at WES assembly

Post date: Nov 20, 2014 7:24:27 PM

On November 7th, seven veterans and two active duty service members were honored for their service to our country in what has become an annual tradition at Wells Elementary School, an assembly to honor veterans while teaching students the importance of Veterans Day. Six of the veterans were from VFW Post 6977 in York.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, 3rd grade student Riley Nichols sang the “Star Spangled Banner”. The WHS Band played patriotic songs and the WHS Color Guard performed synchronized flag routines. “The children love this,” commented Assistant Principal Ken Spinney about the added presence of the band and color guard. “It's great because our students look up to the older students and have the opportunity to see what they have to look forward to if they participate in band or color guard.”

At one point, each of the special nine guests were honored with a certificate of appreciation from the school presented to each by an individual student.

“A group of fourth graders spoke about the branches of the military and how their work relates to the freedoms we have, as well as, our district core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, compassion, and trustworthiness,” commented Spinney about a portion of the assembly.

In the days leading up to this show of support for veterans, students and staff collected candy to be sent by the York VFW to those still serving in Afghanistan and Qatar.

An Army paratrooper in World War II and Vice Commander of VFW Post 6997, John Primerano Jr., spoke about what freedom means to him and the important meaning of Veterans Day.

Active military members and parents of students at WES Jeff Trudeau and Shane Maxon plus Navy veteran Dale Lear, father of WES fourth grade teacher Pam Lear attended this assembly.

Caption: Veterans from VFW Post 6977 in York who attended an assembly honoring veterans at WES on November 7th. From left to right are: Edward Benoit (Air Force), John Primerano (Army), Melvyn Bates (Army), Larry Wicker (Air Force), Charles Andrews (Navy), and Raymond Farnham (Army).