STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District honored veterans, active military and their guests at both the Ste. Genevieve and Bloomsdale campuses in recognition of Veterans Day.
All local veterans were welcome at the schools’ assemblies, and students personally invited veterans as their guests, as well. At both elementary schools, each grade level had the opportunity to participate in their Veterans Day assemblies.
At Bloomsdale Elementary’s assembly, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by kindergarten students.
Fifth graders Ellie Day and Colton Fears, and fourth grader Jack Bellew were the student hosts of the ceremony.
Second graders performed the song “We Remember” by John Jacobson, and fourth grade students performed “American Tears” by Theresa Jennings.
The traditional White Table Ceremony was led by fifth grade students, and fourth grader Michael Boyer read the poem, “They Did Their Share” by Joanna Fuchs.
Each veteran was introduced, and the students presented them with a rose.
The entire student body sang “God Bless America,” and SGHS junior Emily Merrifield performed “Taps.”
As veterans left the assembly, first grade students handed out their Buddy Poppies.
At Ste. Genevieve Elementary’s assembly, fourth grader Rain Hampton sang the National Anthem.
Fifth graders Hope Clayton and Lincoln Palmer were the student hosts of the ceremony.
Fifth grade students led the traditional White Table Ceremony.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the winners of the SGE Veterans Day art contest.
Kindergarten students led the Poppy Pledge, first grade students performed the poem “Thank You, Veterans,” third grade students created a video thanking veterans for their service, and fourth grade students led the recognition of veterans and military members.
To wrap up the assembly, grades second through fifth sang a special collaboration of the song, “On Veterans Day” and SGHS sophomore Kyler Gugel performed “Taps.”
Ste. Genevieve High School hosted a luncheon for veterans prepared with contributions from local business sponsors mentioned below.
Following the luncheon, the Veterans Day Parade began at the American Legion and wound through downtown past Valle, Ste. Genevieve Middle School, Ste. Genevieve Elementary and back behind Ste. Genevieve High School. National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) placed small American flags along the route to honor members of the military, both current and retired, who protect our freedoms. Students and staff at the schools waved banners and flags during the parade to thank our veterans for their service.
The Veterans Day Tribute held in the Peggy J. Johnson Gymnasium included:
- Opening remarks by student hosts Ava Greer, Alice McConkey and Shay Coleman;
- A presentation of the colors by VFW Post 2210 Color Guard;
- A performance of the National Anthem by the Ste. Genevieve High School Dragon’s Lair Productions (DLP);
- The pledge of allegiance by SGHS senior Piper Estes, who graduated from Basic Training this summer, is an official member of the U.S. Army, and will be stationed in Virginia to complete her Advanced Individual Training upon graduation this spring;
- a keynote by guest speaker Mr. Mark Gibson, U.S. Air Force veteran and retired SGHS Auto Mechanics teacher and coach, who was introduced by senior Shay Coleman;
- Student commentary by Lucy Sears, an SGHS senior and this year’s winner of the VFW Voice of Democracy contest;
- A recognition of: all veterans in attendance, local distinguished veterans who have recently passed away, SGHS alumni in Active Duty, and students planning to enlist;
- A performance of “God Bless America” by the SGMS Middle School Band;
- Graphics and videos created by the SGHS DLP students;
- A performance of “A Tribute to the Armed Services” by the Ste. Genevieve High School Chorale; and
- A performance of “Taps” by former SGHS Principal Mr. Charlie Crouthers and a three-gun volley in memory of veterans who have died.
In a heartfelt speech, Mr. Gibson, Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, honored the legacy of American veterans and emphasized the importance of remembering their sacrifices. “The reasons that we have for serving are varied and many. Some of these reasons are very personal… but some are not, and they include a willingness to do for our country a step more than being a good citizen,” he said. “We served alongside many of our fellow Americans, from all walks of life— You remember them. When the sunlight is just right, and the sky is that color, we can look off into our misty past, and we can hear the echo of our boots.”
SGHS would like to thank the following sponsors and vendors: Eleven Eleven Catering, CE Contracting, Shuh and Sons Plbg and Htg, LLC, Jodi Flieg, Edward Jones- Matt Trautman, Sons of American Legion, Ability Network Inc., SGHS Basketball, Country Mart, Buy the Bunch, and the Anvil Saloon.
A school official also thanked the following: the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2210 Color Guard; Mrs. Lois Flieg and Mrs. Betty Arnold from the VFW Post 2210 Auxiliary; Board of Education President David Bova; High School Principal Dr. John Boyd, Jr.; all of our alumni who are serving active duty; our high school seniors who are enlisted or plan to enlist; all of the veterans and their spouses for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the ceremony; the choirs and the bands for their contributions; the students and staff for their attention and participation in the program; Dragon’s Lair Productions, SGHS School Development Seminar, Valle Catholic Student Council for serving at the luncheon, Ste. Genevieve Middle School NJHS, SGHS Boys Basketball Program, and the National Honor Society of Ste. Genevieve High School for planning and executing the 2024 Veterans Day Tribute, the Parade of Veterans, and the Veteran Luncheon.
