Hundreds of Springfield City School District students came together Tuesday to honor the men and women who have proudly served our country.
Kenwood Elementary began the morning with a schoolwide Veterans Day ceremony filled with music, patriotism and appreciation. Students and staff welcomed special veteran guests and recognized Kenwood’s own staff members who have served. The event also featured performances by Kenwood students and the Springfield High School Marching Wildcat Band, Drill Team and MJROTC Color Guard. To close the ceremony, members of the Kenwood ‘K-Kids Club,’ a service-oriented student group, presented handmade American flag blankets to veterans in attendance.
At Warder Park-Wayne Elementary, students shared their own acts of kindness outlined in red, white & blue. In the school library, they colored patriotic pictures for local veterans. For more than 20 years, Librarian Sheri Ehnie has collected the artwork and delivered it to Springfield restaurants, where veterans dining out on the holiday receive them as a surprise token of thanks. The project holds deep meaning for Ms. Ehnie, whose family members have served. As she prepares to retire this year, she says this annual tradition will remain one of her most cherished memories from her time in the District.