In honor of our Veterans, St. Joseph School second grade students shared photos of relatives who served in our military. Together they created poster displays honoring their loved ones, featuring both men and women and many generations who served our country in various wars. St. Joseph second grade teachers, Kate Rozylowicz and Mary McGlone also invited these relatives to come in to be honored in the classroom for Veterans Day. Two grandfathers were able to schedule time with the second graders and share their military experiences on Wednesday, November 10th. Students listened attentively and asked well thought out questions of their two guests.
Hubbard “Hub” Erickson, Jr., grandfather of twin second graders Nora & Emmett Flannery served in the U.S. Navy as an Aerial Gunner during World War II. When asked why he joined the military, Hub explained that he and his family live in and are part of the USA. “I felt a loyalty to our country. My buddies were going in, and I couldn’t let my buddies go without going myself.”
Bob King, grandfather of second grader, Michael Buck served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked his way up to a Lieutenant Colonel. His was a military career, serving 20 years and retiring in 1979. Bob served in the Vietnam war, and explained that while fellow veteran, Hub served in airplanes, he was an Infantry man, walking on the ground through Vietnam.
Erickson and King together explained to the children that Veterans Day is an important day of remembrance, and that Veterans can be as young as 18-19 years old or up to 100-years-old or more.
Parent, Kathleen Buck accompanied her father, Bob King to the classroom. "I thought it was wonderful that the second grade teachers invited veterans in to speak, and took a moment to really focus on the meaning of the holiday. Dad really enjoyed talking to the kids. He has been always been committed to the ideals of the military – service to others, love of God, country and his family. I think Michael loved seeing his Papa talk about his Marine Corp years. He ran over to Papa's house last night, jumped in his lap and with a huge smile presented him the classes' thank you card," she said.
After a question and answer session, together the class held their hands to their hearts and, with their visiting veterans, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and prayed together for all of our veterans as well as for the military currently serving our country.
