MacArthur school students serve breakfast to veterans
MacArthur Middle School students honored local veterans on Thursday, Nov. 11, by sponsoring an annual breakfast and schoolwide assembly in their honor.
About 45 veterans from all branches of military service were in attendance at the school in Prospect Heights, ranging from a 96-year-old Army vet who served in World War II to a Marine who has seen two tours in Afghanistan and is still on active duty.
The veterans and their families were greeted at the main entrance of the school by MacArthur Student Senate members and escorted to the school's Little Theatre.
There the veterans were served a wonderful breakfast by the Student Senate members as the school's Serenading Strings, a group of talented string instrumental performers, provided background music. The veterans in attendance were given thank you cards made by a variety of sixth- to eighth-grade students and souvenir programs as keepsakes.
The school and administration at MacArthur believes it is important for their students to understand the history behind Veterans Day, what a veteran is and the important role veterans played in providing us the freedoms and privileges we have today. The best way for students to learn the importance of ones service to our country is to invite veterans into the school and have students interact with them.
After the breakfast, the veterans were brought into the gym for a schoolwide assembly. The veterans, their families and the student body were entertained with several patriotic performances of the band, choir and orchestra and listened to student speeches about our country, our flag, the history of Veterans Day, what a veteran is and the value of veterans to our country.
A very emotional part of the program is when each veteran is introduced to the students individually and given a heartfelt round of applause. A few of the veterans visited classrooms and gave students interviews after the ceremony.
All in all, it was a memorial event and history lesson that the students, as well as the veterans, won't soon forget.
• Steve Lee is principal of MacArthur Middle School.