Frederiksen Elementary's Sweet Veterans Day Commemoration: Dublin

DUBLIN, CA — Frederiksen Elementary School in Dublin has a special military connection. Parks Reserve Forces Training Area is nearby. Commonly known as Camp Parks, the facility supports military readiness for both the Army Reserve and the entire Joint Force.

Camp Parks families with elementary school-aged students send their kids to Frederiksen.

Monday, the school held its 14th Annual Veterans Day event. Since school is closed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the event was held a week in advance. It was designed to give students a better understand of the meaning of Veterans Day.

Many veterans joined the Frederiksen students Monday, including members of VFW Post 6298 and American Legion Post 237. The vets presented the colors — the U.S. flag, flags from each service and the MIA/POW flag.

U.S. Army Captain Christine Jacobs and Sergeant Major Aaron Stubenvoll from Camp Parks talked about the meaning of Veterans Day. Commander Dave Caldwell, U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam War Vet (a member of VFW 6298), talked about the history of the Buddy Poppy worn on Veterans and Memorial days. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Casey Young from Camp Parks played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. Paul Siedschlag of the USAF (Vietnam Era) played "Taps" on the bugle.

Fifth grade students recited "In Flanders Fields." All students sang the "Star Spangled Banner," "This is Me," and "Thankful for the U.S.A." and they worked on classroom project.

At the end of the ceremony, each student shook hands with — and thanked — all attending veterans and active-duty service personnel.