Honoring Veterans at Excelsior Elementary

“I love America for what it is today,” said a fourth grade student at .

On November 11, the delivered a Veterans Day program to the public in the school’s auditorium. The room was packed and extra seating along the sides of the room had to be provided.

Veterans from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force also attended. The veterans stood with applause as Minnetonka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Dennis Peterson, announced each military branch.

The program at times became emotional, particularly during a presentation of Honor Flight, which is a program that takes World War II veterans to the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. One of the coordinators of the Twin Cities Chapter, Jerry Kyser, spoke of the importance of honoring those who have served their country. A Vietnam veteran himself, he at times had to fight to hold back tears as he spoke.

The mood rose as students sang such patriotic songs as “God bless the USA” and “God Bless America.” The students also read poems, summaries of interviews with veterans in their families, and short snippets of history.