Trinity Christian School Honors Veterans

Trinity Christian School of Shorewood observed Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 13, by hosting a breakfast and chapel service for veterans and community leaders throughout the greater Joliet area.

More than 40 veterans and community members attended the event, which was planned by Trinity teacher Mrs. Christine McBride and her sixth grade class. Elected officials and leaders in attendance included Shorewood Mayor Rick Chapman, Village of Shorewood Trustee Barbara “Cookie” Kirkland, Village of Shorewood Trustee Steve Brockman and Village of Shorewood Administrator, Mr. Jim Culotta.

Mayor Chapman, a Vietnam veteran, commented, “It is wonderful to see students excited to honor veterans and respect their service.” Mayor Chapman added, “Trinity Christian School is a blessing to our community.”

After the breakfast, veterans attended a chapel service led by Trinity’s sixth grade students. The United States Marine Corps Color Guard began the service with the presentation of colors. The national anthem was sung by sixth grade students and Amira Woods, a Trinity seventh grader, was the sign language interpreter. The chapel audience included students in kindergarten through eighth grade, veterans, staff, Trinity families and guests.

Mrs. Ellen Rasmussen was the chapel speaker. Mrs. Rasmussen was a captain in the Air Force, serving four years of active duty and one year as a reservist. She has been the administrative assistant at Trinity Christian School since 2013. Mrs. Rasmussen shared that the U.S. military today consists of approximately 1,314,000 active duty soldiers and 813,000 reservists. These military members and the approximately 20 million veterans all took the same oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

Mrs. Rasmussen also taught the students how to stand at “attention,” the position of readiness. This position prepares a soldier to receive commands and to be ready to move. When the soldiers are at attention, they receive a command and all move in the right direction. Mrs. Rasmussen challenged the students to be at attention in their spiritual life, ready to hear from God and ready to move in the right direction.

The chapel service concluded with a moving video tribute. The veterans received gift bags with thank you letters from approximately 240 students and gifts from local businesses. The gift bag donations came from Culver’s, Jewel-Osco, McDonald’s, Portillo’s, Massage Envy, Hair Cuttery and Trinity Christian School Parent-Teacher Ministry.

When asked what motivated her class to plan and organize such an event, Mrs. McBride responded, “As a class, we discussed what a veteran is and how veterans willingly choose to serve to protect us. The students were moved by their understanding of this and we decided that we wanted to show our gratitude, using more than just our words, to all veterans.”

Trinity Christian School is a private, non-denominational school located in Shorewood. The school serves students from preschool through eighth grade. For additional information about the school visit www.trinitychristian.info or call 815-577-9310.