Honoring Veterans is important, and this year, WHBES first graders honored veterans in a special way. Students created stars with pictures of veterans they knew in a “Hall of Heroes.”

First grade teacher Mrs. Moran explained, “The Hall of Heroes was something that we wanted to do in honor of all veterans. We live in such a special community where students see veterans all over. This was a great way for all students in the school to recognize veterans in their lives, veterans that they know, veterans in the community, and all veterans! It turned into a great school-wide display by having so many students and faculty participate! It was a great way to dive deeper into the meaning of Veterans day too!” 

Students were asked to choose a veteran to honor. Every student in the school was sent home with the information about the “Hall of Heroes.” Attached to the information was a star where students could include a picture of their veteran. If they didn’t know a veteran personally, they could write a message or note on their star. 

Students K-5 and staff members returned their stars to school to be displayed in the front lobby’s Hall of Heroes as a flag.  Mrs. Moran said, “It was painted and made by first graders! They also recreated the 5 flags from the 5 different military branches: Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guards. So many students have family members in these different branches, that it was really great to see them have a sense of pride in the military at such a young age!” According to Mrs. Moran, students really took pride in this activity.

Two first graders, Bubba Beasley and Emma Dwyer, shared information on their participation in creating the Hall of Heroes.  Bubba put up his Grandpa Lee who was a Naval Aviator on his star.  He learned a lot about his grandpa from this activity, like that e was in the Navy and he earned a Bronze Star. He was an Ops Officer of Aircraft Carrier USS Hancock, a Navy pilot instructor, a Naval photographer, and a Naval Attache to Thailand. Grandpa Lee turned 95 this year! Bubba shared that he chose his Grandpa Lee “because he is important and a true hero.”

Bubba said, “It is important to celebrate Veterans Day because we honor our veterans because they work really hard for us! They are heroes!” 

Emma put her dad, Connor Dwyer, on her star. He was in the Marines. Emma chose her dad because “he is special and he is the only veteran I know!” It is important to celebrate Veterans day because veterans help and save us.  Emma said, ‘We get to thank the leaders and they are good to us!” 

The activity was a success over all.  Moran said, “We are really proud of how this turned into a school-wide thing! We are so happy with the participation.”