Delaware school honors local veterans

by Tech Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/13/2012 - Dover Air Force Base, Del.  -- Veterans from across the state of Delaware attended a Veteran's Day Celebration Nov. 9, 2012, at Lake Forest North Elementary in Felton, Del.

The celebration included reading selections and musical performances by the school's children.

Todd Weller, a coordinator for the event and an art teacher at the school, said the event was a huge success and has been steadily growing in the eight years he has been at the school.

"The turnout for today's event was great," he said. "The kids have been preparing for this for a few weeks. I think they did a great job."

Weller said that, as an educator, he thinks it is important to teach the children about the military.

"It is great to reach out and thank the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us," he said. "It is important to know how sacred and special the freedoms we enjoy are. Our American freedoms would not be possible without the veterans."

Senior Master Sgt. Mark Currier, assigned to the 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron at New Castle Air National Guard Base, Del., arrived back home the night before from a deployment to Southwest Asia. He said he attended the celebration the year before and was happy that he got back home in time to see this year's event.

"I liked the ceremony it was very well done," he said. "I was impressed by the children's musical performances. It is beneficial for them to learn about veterans at a young age and learn about the importance of civic duty."

Weller said the school benefits from the local military population as well. A group of Airmen from Dover AFB visit weekly to mentor the students.

"We are very thankful for the volunteer help we get from the service members," he said.
"The kids really listen to them, and it is great to have another voice shaping their lives."

Weller said that many of the children have family ties to the military. He said the majority of students have at least one relative that has served in the military as well.

"The military is such a strong part of our school," he said. "An event like this is essential because it is important that we show our heroes how much we appreciate them."