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‘An extremely important lesson,’ South Williamsport elementary students welcome veterans

Local veterans received a very special welcome to the South Williamsport Area Junior/Senior High School as students from the district’s Central Elementary School held a special assembly in honor of Veterans Day.

"Today, our school is filled with excitement because we are celebrating Veterans Day," Central Elementary Principal Dyan Frame said in welcoming the assembled students and veterans.

"Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day in celebration of the end of World War I, which occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918," Frame said, explaing that it became known as Veterans Day when, in 1954, Congress renamed the holiday to honor all American military veterans.

"A veteran is someone who puts on a military uniform, like in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, etc., and promises to keep our country safe and free. They kept this promise by serving our country in one of these branches of America’s armed forces," Frame told the students.

"This means they had to spend time away from their homes and their families. Some may have even had to go to different countries to keep our country safe," she said, telling the students to think of them as "real life heroes."

"They do brave things so we can do everyday things like coming to school, playing on the playground, hugging our families and laughing with our friends. Those freedoms didn’t just happen. People worked hard and sacrificed to protect them," she said.

"In America, we are the land of the free because of the brave. Today, we want to make sure our veterans know that we appreciate their sacrifice and service to our country," Frame said.

Three future graduates of the district spoke of their reasons for joining the armed forces.

"I wanted to join the Marines because my nanny was in the Navy. My grandfather was in the 82nd Airborne Division, jumped out of planes, and my family growing up around it. I love it, and I want to serve my country," said Dominick Barclay

"When I was thinking about joining the military, one of the things that mattered most to me was being able to serve others and make a difference, along with my biggest inspiration, which is my dad," offered Addison Bird, who intents to serve with intends to serve with the Army National Guard.

"He has shown me what it means to serve my country and help anyone who needs it. In his 21 years of service, he has earned a meritorious service medal and two army accommodation medals. He has been promoted to major and he is giving his life to his country, and his people continue," she said.

"His leadership and dedication to my family, the military and our community has exemplified the dedication of service and opportunities the National Growth has to offer for anyone and everyone," Bird said.

"When you see someone who needs help, maybe a friend falls on the playground or someone is being left out or having a really hard day, you have a choice in those moments. You can walk away or step up and help. That’s a little bit like serving in the National Guard," she told the students.

"The National Guard is special because we have an opportunity to help people right here in our home communities, especially during emergencies like floods or other natural disasters," Bird said, adding that they may also be called to serve in other areas.

"I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to learn new things, challenge myself and do something that would make a difference in the lives of others," she told the students, while encouraging the students to strive for the same even outside of military service.

"Every single one of you can make a difference right now. You can show courage by standing up for someone, kindness by helping someone who’s struggling or leadership by doing what’s right, even when it’s hard," Bird said.

"Being brave doesn’t mean you’re never afraid. Sometimes being brave means doing the right thing, even when you are afraid.

"If there’s one thing I hope you remember today, it’s that you’re never too young to make a difference," she concluded.

"The United States military is made up of many brave men and women who serve our country. These men and women have done so much for our country to have the freedom that we do today. They miss birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries to protect our country at all costs," said Isaiah Snyder, an enlistee with the U.S. Army.

"For me, the National Guard is especially important because it is a route I want to take in becoming a soldier," he said, adding that his brother is currently serving in the branch overseas.

"I want to say ‘thank you’ to all our veterans and everyone serving our country. And to my brother, I’m proud of you. I miss you, and I can’t wait for you to be home," Snyder said.

51 veterans were honored on stage by their student relatives as their names were read aloud by district employee Jim Moser, grandfather of student Eli Moser, and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force for 10 and a half years.

Interspersed with the reading of the names were musical renditions of "This Land Is Your Land" and "God Bless America" performed by the students, as well as messages for the veterans.

"The military are the people who keep us and the community safe. My grandfather is here, and he served in the Army," read third grader Mattie Frank.

"Thank you for protecting our country and being here today. I am so thankful for everything you all have done for our country. All of us here appreciate what you have done," Frank said.

"Dear veterans, thank you for serving our country. I have two special veterans, and they are my dad and grandpa. I’m so glad that we can spend this day honor," offered Lillian Reynolds, a fourth grader.

"Thank you for all you do for our country, we are thankful for you because of how brave and kind you are for protecting our country. I hope you have a great Veterans Day. Sincerely, everyone," fifth grader Anna Hammond said.

"Dear veterans, thank you for your training you went through and the time you spent away from your family, so that I could be safe with mine," Braysen Shellman, a fifth grader, began.

"I am also free to live my life the way I choose because of your sacrifice and dedication. The service and example you set for our country will not be forgotten. Last but not least, thank you for your bravery that you showed for us to be safe and do the things we want," Shellman said.

"Dear veterans, thank you for serving our country and protecting it too. We love and appreciate the way you stand up for our country the way you do," fifth grade Emma Vancampen said.

"I appreciate your dedication and bravery. Thank you for risking your life to keep us safe. I hope someday the world can live peacefully. You dedicated your time and life to protect ours. I will always be grateful for her service," Olive Hurley, a fifth grader said.

Evan Barry, a 2026 graduate of the district and member of the U.S. Army, told the students that he, along with his brother, are among few from his family who have served, including his great-great-great grandfather.

"I don’t come from a very big military family, so to take the sacrifice to join was a very big decision for me, but the people behind me, all these veterans that came out here today, they gave me the strength to be able to join and know that they took that sacrifice as well," Barry said.

"We celebrate Veterans Day because, unfortunately, for a lot of people in the military, they don’t get a lot of praise. They do their job, they do it well and they go home to their families if they can," he told the students.

"Veterans Day is a day that we can congratulate them and thank them for all they do every day that we don’t see. There are a lot of people who are overseas, helping out that we don’t even know that they’re over there, and the fact that they took the call of duty to join and to serve this country to protect every one of you guys, including me, is an extremely big sacrifice," Barry said, turning to thank the veterans seated behind him.

Following a moment of silence and the playing of "Taps," those in attendance were treated to light refreshments.

The assembly is something that has been on the minds of Frame and her staff since she took over the position two years ago, she told the Sun-Gazette.

"I personally have felt it is very important for us to recognize our veterans, but this year we had a larger team of PBIS Tier One teachers that really also felt compelled that this was something we needed to take the time to do," she said, giving much of the credit for the event to the teachers and staff that put it together.

"A lot of hours of planning went into this, and we do plan to do it every year," Frame added.

Frame was particularly proud of the good behavior and respect shown by the students.

"It’s an extremely important lesson they need to learn early in life, that our veterans need to be held in the highest esteem, and I think we’re on the right track with that," she said.

"They were amazing, I’m very proud and I’m just so grateful that we were able to honor veterans the way they deserve," Frame said.