Wentzville Schools Celebrate Veterans Day

Elementary schools in the held Veteran's Day celebrations this week to salute the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

, , , , , , , , and all invited veterans to their special activities scheduled in honor of the holiday. Veterans were treated to breakfasts, student performances, slide shows honoring past and present members of the military and special guest speakers.

At Peine Ridge Elementary, veterans released balloons with a note attached that said “If you are a veteran or can pass this on to a veteran, please write a note and send it to the address below. Our students would love to know that their message of appreciation made it to a veteran.”

One of the veteran’s watching the balloons fly away was Mayor Paul Lambi, who spent six years in the U.S. Navy.

“It’s important for students to know that our freedom has to be defended, because there are those out there who would like to take it away,” said Lambi. “These kids are one of the reasons why we all joined the service, to preserve our country for future generations.”

Sophie Williams, a fifth grader at Peine Ridge, summed up her feelings. 

“We honor all of the veterans, because they have served and fought for our freedom, so we need to thank them!”

At Heritage, students held several collections to benefit our service men and women. The primary students donated over 200 pounds of their own Halloween candy for Operation Gratitude, otherwise known as “Treats for Troops” to provide some sweets for care packages sent to U.S. service members deployed in hostile regions.

The Intermediate students held a coin drive and raised almost $500 for the Honor Flight Network that flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials.

Students at Prairie View Elementary celebrated Veterans Day with an all-school assembly featuring guest speaker Army Drill Sgt. Karen Gooden, who shared her experiences from ten years of military service.

“They have served for a really long time,” said Prairie View student Rishi Kondapaneni. “We should thank them for all of their sacrifices.”