J. Colin English Elementary hosts Veterans Day remembrance celebration
Last week at J. Colin English Elementary School, students attended an assembly that explained what Veterans Day really mean in America, with numerous guest speakers and patriotic songs.
The program consisted of a colorful visit from the North Fort Myers ROTC, which did a presentation of colors; patriotic songs through the school choir and soloists; speakers from local veterans groups, including the VFW Post 10127, Disabled Veterans of America Chapter 94 and the North Fort Myers Elks Cub.
Principal Joe Williams III had this to say about the event, “We wanted to pay homage to our veterans who have served. It is a token of our appreciation, and this is to let them know we don’t take our freedoms lightly.”
They even had a special surprise from J. Colin English PE teacher and Cape resident 1st Lt. Morgan Wright, who showed up in his military garb.
“I did get some double-takes,” Wright said of his students seeing him in uniform. “It feels good, actually humbling, to have the children get a bit of this history.”
He served in Afghanistan.
Col. Tom Hutchison and Army veteran Phil Hicks spoke from the local VFW Post 10127 locate on Pondella Road, to explain the history to the children.
Hutchison explained how the remembrance started.
“It originally didn’t include all veterans,” he said. “But in June 1954, it included all veterans.”
Alan Stanchi, commander of the Disabled Veterans of America, Chapter 94, talked about disabled veterans.
“It’s not only an organization for physical but psychological wounds,” he said of returning veterans of today and the past.
When asked to comment on the recent Fort Hood Tragedy, all he could say was, “Our hearts and prayers go out to them.”
The North Fort Myers ROTC did the presentation of colors for the assembly. ROTC members include Tyler Chism, Mariah Aquino, Ashly Chism and Nicole Pooler. Their instructor is Angel Villanueva.
Assistant Principal Toni Walker led the JCE choir and gave an inspirational message.
“We are the greatest country in the world,” Walker said. “Whenever you see one of these heroes [veterans] put your hand on your heart and say thank you.”
Walker led the songs and choir in several patriotic songs, including “Proud to Be an American.” Soloists Mackenzie Cox and Katelyn Deleon shined in their contribution to the program.
One person that spoke was not a veteran – rather the widow of a veteran, Dorothy Holmes from the North Fort Myers Elks Club. She talked to the children about sacrifice of family for a better cause.
Heidi Adams from the Deaf Services Center of Fort Myers was on stage for the entire event, singing all of the speeches and songs.
An informative display was made by Parent Involvement Specialist Jody Callahan, who brought a photo of her own father, John Driscoll, who served in the military many years ago to be on the display.
There was also a coloring contest for the students that Callahan oversaw. The first place winner for grades 4th and 5th was Roland Bedell.
The first place winner from 2nd and 3rd was Avital Gurvits (3rd grade), and the first place for kindergarten and 1st grade was Jakob Caponera, a 1st grader.
They each took their take on coloring pages supplied from the U.S. military and displayed in the cafeteria for the assembly.