Patriotism Comes Alive at Tyee Park

Washington state law mandates that each school recognize Veteran's Day with classroom education or an assembly. Music Teacher Tracey Lundquist leads and creates a rousing Veteran's Day assembly every November.  In fact, as soon as the program finishes, Lundquist begins teaching and rehearsing for next year's program.  Students (the entire student body composes the chorus) learn a medley of popular songs from the war years of World War II as well as fresher pieces.

There is no lack of patriotism at

The production always includes the Army Band or the Navy Band Northwest who perform thematically based music according to the program's title.   Tracey has recruited Color Guards from local military installations and Law Enforcement groups.  Reggie Ray of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department has often been a featured soloist. The production is classy and upbeat. 

It includes slide shows of military-associated persons (created by staff teacher, Robin Hudson), not only from Tyee Park, but of veterans who have attended Tracey's shows year after year.

The kids sing, march and dance--and at times "Uncle Sam" has tap danced his way across the stage! The program is quite popular in the local community and usually the audience is more than the school cafegymatorium can hold often flowing out the door and onto the sidewalks. 

The program always closes with the service songs from each branch of US Military, and audience members who have served are asked to stand when their song is played.  Afterwards, the veterans are served a fancy buffet provided by Tracey and the Tyee Park staff. 

This program is a very emotional experience for most who attend.  It is not unusual to see people with moist eyes leaving the campus after the program.

Guest speakers have included General Shalikashvilli, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Others include members of the famous Tuskegee Airmen and the Pearl Harbor Survivors, Medal of Honor Heroes, military Generals coming from as far away as the Pentagon, the Lt. Governor and even Former Gov. Gary Locke, the Ambassador to China.

Also in attendance are disabled vets from the local Veterans Hospital, as well as a slew of representatives in full uniform from each of the five service branches, the Lakewood Police and Fire Chiefs, The City Mayor and members of the Council, State Senators and Representatives, and the local American Legion and VFW Halls.