Veterans Get Star Treatment
Veterans Get Star Treatment
By Larissa Lytwyn
Hawley Elementary School students recently gave relatives and family friends who have served in the military the star treatment, honoring the veterans with hand-decorated stars hung in the schoolâs lobby.
âThe children included the veteranâs name and where and when they served,â said lead teacher Judy Pesce. âThey also had the opportunity to decorate the stars with American flags, pictures of the veterans, or anything else they could do to personalize it.â
The schoolwide activity, said Ms Pesce, made the concept of war â particularly with consideration to ongoing fighting in Iraq ââ more understandable for students.
Gazing at the stars hanging above her head, she added, âand some of these soldiers are serving now.â
Well over half of Hawleyâs approximately 450 students participated.
âIn past years weâve had guest speakers visit,â said Ms Pesce. âThis activity is a bit more hands-on.â
Hawleyâs school nurse Peggy Annett said that the stars represent a diverse range of American conflicts, from World War II to the first Iraq War. Ms Annett served during the Vietnam era in a Virginia naval hospital.
âThere is a lot of history here,â said Ms Pesce. âVeteransâ Day is so important to recognize â especially during a time like this!â