On Friday, Nov. 10, the Brandywine Heights Area School District will host its 17th annual Veterans Day Program and Luncheon for those veterans who reside in the community or are relatives of students. The objective of the program, which is held at the middle school, is to honor our country, thank our veterans for their service, and promote citizenship within our student body and faculty.
Leading up to the day of the program, 4th through 8th grade students will be participating in the American Legion Americanism essay contest. They also have the opportunity to compete school-wide in a poster contest using the same theme as the essay. Winners of the contests will be recognized with a ribbon during the assembly. Essay writers also have a chance to win a monetary prize from the American Legion.
On the morning of the program, some veterans will be invited to speak to classes or be part of a Q & A session. Veterans may also come to view the patriotic displays throughout the building, as well as to visit the hospitality room where they can enjoy snacks and drinks while socializing with other vets. During the featured assembly, someone will receive the coveted Patriot Award, which recognizes a veteran or community member/group for exceptional service to this country and/or community. After the assembly, veterans will be escorted to the school cafeteria where they will be treated to a free luncheon.
Again this year we are collecting photos of veterans in their military uniform at the time of their service, to be put on display in school (if it hasn’t already been submitted). If you are willing to do this, please send a copy of your photo, along with your name, branch, and dates of service, to BHMS, 200 W. Weis St., Topton, PA 19562. Address it “c/o Erica Whalen”, or email the jpg to eriwha@bhasd.org. (Please let us know if we can keep hard copies or if you want them back.) We still have any that were submitted last year, unless they were asked to be returned.
Agenda9 – 11:45 am: Veterans arrive to speak to classes, help in a Q & A session, tour the school, or visit the hospitality room
11:30 – 11:55 am: Veterans and MS students enter the auditorium
12:00 – 1:10 pm: Veterans and MS students are treated to a program which includes the HS fife and drum corps, band and chorus numbers, readings, and the Patriot Award
1:15 – 2:15 pm: Veterans are treated to a luncheon in the cafeteria, and students related to individual veterans may spend time with them there
If you have any questions, please call 610-682-5131 (middle school). And, if you know of a veteran from the surrounding community that you feel may be deserving of the Patriot Award, please contact Tess at teswol@bhasd.org, or call her at 610-682-5122 (VM 391).