This morning many students had the day off from school. There was a lesson to be learned from those kids who attended school. At our local elementary school, students paid tribute to those who have served our country.
The patriotic assembly began with The Procession of Flags carried by local scouts. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the crowd. America the Beautiful, God Bless America, and God Bless the USA were all sung by the students and adults gathered to honor our veterans.
Student narrators eloquently spoke about the importance of Veteran's Day. Another group of students performed a skit which illuminated exactly what the word "veteran" means--an instructive moment infused with a bit of humor.
The instrumental portion of the tribute included flutists who played You're a Grand Old Flag. After that, area service men and women visiting the school were recognized for their contributions. Following that was a moment of silence.
Concluding the ceremony, Taps was played by a lone trumpeter. This passage from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A. Villanueva, USAF speaks to how the playing of Taps moves us:
Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. In 1874, it was officially recognized by the U.S. Army, but it was written during the Civil War. In 1891, it became standard [protocol] at military funeral ceremonies. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.
Today's tribute was a moment for students, teachers, school staff, parents, veterans, and those still serving our country to unite on Veteran's Day. It was a moment for students to teach civilians, like me, about small sacrifices (attending school on a holiday) which amplified how we collectively define ourselves as patriots and Americans through our intentions, thoughts, actions, words, and particularly in this case, one singularly haunting solitary trumpet which played just twenty-four notes which reverberated into our painful past, yet inescapably reached into the future too.
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