Area veterans visit Presque Isle Middle School
to put personal meaning in program
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Area veterans were honored for their service by sixth-graders at Presque Isle Middle School last Friday as part of “Take a Veteran to School Day.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
RECITING THE PREAMBLE to the United States Constitution during last Friday’s sixth-grade ceremony at Presque Isle Middle School to honor area veterans were, from left: Sadie Kinney, Christina Skidgel, Emily Wheaton, Miranda Bragan, Kayla Saucier and Madison LePage.
Sponsored by The History Channel and Time Warner Cable, this was the first year the program has been held in Aroostook County. Organized by Peggy Kelley, English/social studies teacher, and Gail Hagelstein, library/media specialist, the program featured the reading of poems, the Preamble to the United States Constitution, and the first 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights; musical selections, a dance performance, a slide show featuring numerous wartime images put to music; and prerecorded comments from U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe.
Nearly 40 students participated in the program.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
DANCING TO THE SONG “Hero” are Presque Isle Middle School sixth-graders Maddison Cleaves, left, and Kimberly Cook.
“In past years — since PIMS started — the students have always made cards throughout the year, learned friendly-letter format and wrote letters to the soldiers, and we’ve sent care packages to soldiers overseas during times of conflict,” said Kelley. “A big impression was made on the kids when some of those soldiers came to our school and spoke to the kids. It made quite an impact when they could put a body, a face and a uniform to the name of the person they had been writing to. Those kids have never forgotten that.
“This year was the first time we’ve participated in ‘Take a Veteran to School Day.’ We had some veterans come in before the program and speak to some of the classrooms,” she said. “I hope this is something the kids will want to do again because it’s very important to recognize the veterans.”
Lt. Col. Dwaine Drummond, of the U.S. Army/Maine Army National Guard, spoke to students prior to the assembly.
“I told them about myself and my service and a little about the military, and we probably could have been there for hours because the kids were really very enthusiastic and asked a lot of questions,” said Drummond, of China, Maine. “It always makes it easier when you have an engaged crowd.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
SHARING THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS of the Bill of Rights are sixth-graders, from left: Gabrielle Jandreau, Adam Paterson, Austin Robichaud, Aza Villatora, Griffin Guerrette, Christina Skidgel, Emily Wheaton, Jack Beaulieu, Emma Willett and Brianne Savoy.
“The assembly was terrific. It’s amazing with how very little rehearsal time the kids were able to bring it together. You could tell they enjoyed it, and there was a variety of talents. The kids were just awesome,” he said. “When I think of veterans, I don’t think of myself … I think of the friends of my father and folks that I knew growing up. I’ve been fortunate to serve in the military in a period when the country has had a resurgence of patriotism in difficult times, so to see the kids learning that and embracing that means a lot. It provides some hope that the dedication and sacrifice that folks have made isn’t going to be lost and forgotten. How can you walk out of this and not feel good about it?”
Jerry Joles, who served stateside during Vietnam in the U.S. Army, was one of the nearly 30 veterans who attended the program.
“It was wonderful. I know some of the kids personally, and I know what their attitudes are toward veterans by my contact with them,” said Joles, whose daughter Jolene, was one of the first recipients of the care packages the students and Kelley sent a number of years ago. “Their thoughts on veterans are positive, and they know that the veterans are there for their freedom.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
McKENZIE TURNER plays “America the Beautiful” on her flute before nearly 30 area veterans and the sixth-grade student body last Friday as part of “Take a Veteran to School Day” which was held at Presque Isle Middle School.
“I enjoyed the program very much and thought they kids did a great job,” he said.
Sixth-graders Jack Beaulieu and Christina Skidgel said it meant a lot to them to help thank the veterans.
“It was pretty fun to be part of something like this,” said Beaulieu. “I read the eighth amendment which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments.
“Being onstage like that isn’t really my thing, but I’m glad I did it,” he said. “It was fun and it’s important to thank our veterans. I learned that the veterans did a lot for us and sacrificed their lives for us.”
Skidgel agreed.
“I volunteered to take part because the veterans are important and they deserved to have this,” she said. “I like being onstage; I used to be in band and I do plays, so that doesn’t bother me. I think they should do this again next year. The veterans deserve it and it’s a lot of fun for the students because we get to learn all about the veterans, the Bill of Rights and things like that.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
DUSTIN ALWARD, a sixth-grader at Presque Isle Middle School, plays “The Marine’s Hymn” on his saxophone during the “Take a Veteran to School Day” assembly that was held last Friday.
In welcoming the veterans, Hagelstein noted that “words cannot express what we owe you and yours.”
“This morning is a time to honor, recognize and thank you for your service. You left your civilian lives behind to train and to protect us, this country — the United States of America — and all the freedoms we enjoy,” she said. “This assembly is a small token of our appreciation for your service and your time. We celebrate you this morning.”
