VETERAN’S DAY AT CMS

Grant Provided by Rural School CollaborativeChris Bily, Charleston Middle School Classroom Teacher and Veterans Day Assembly Committee Member

FLAG CASESThe flags shown here were flown at CMS for 24 hours then retired and folded by a group of local VFW members. Flags were then put in cases bought and paid for by the RSC grant and later presented to our honoree Veterans.

AIR FORCE FLAGBought using RSC Grant money and hung in the gymnasium where the Veterans Day assembly was held.

NAVY FLAGBought using RSC Grant money and hung in the gymnasium where the Veterans Day assembly was held.

US COAST GUARD FLAGBought using RSC Grant money and hung in the gymnasium where the Veterans Day assembly was held.

US MARINE FLAGBought using RSC Grant money and hung in the gymnasium where the Veterans Day assembly was held.

US ARMY FLAGBought using RSC Grant money and hung in the gymnasium where the Veterans Day assembly was held.

STUDENT HOSTSCMS 8th Graders hosted and led the Veterans Day ceremony

PRESENTING COLORSLocal Boy Scout Troop and CMS Students present the flags

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFULCMS Choir sing solos for Veterans

RECOGNIZING LOCAL VETSStudents and Staff alike were able to honor their veteran guests. Veterans were recognized in front of the student body then presented with a small token of appreciation (a star cut from a retired US flag with a student created poem attached)

BRANCH SONGSThe CMS band played each military branch songs while student teams sang along.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY VETERANSThree local veterans who have contributed a great deal to our program and community were honored with the flag cases (shown in first slide). Top Left: Sergeant Stokes (long time contributor to Veterans Day assembly.Bottom Left: Tad Mayhall (US Air Force) and brother Blain Mayhall (CMS LBS1)Bottom Right: Jason Steidl (US Army and parent of CMS 8th Grader) Top Right: Mr. Lynn, Veterans Day committee head and Army veteran, was a surprised 4th nominee for honorary CMS veteran for 2015.

TAPSLocal Veterans, Students, and Staff including my Stepfather, Phil Fessler (third from left), pay their respects to fallen troops during the playing of TAPS by CMS band members.

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED AND ARE SERVINGCMS Students, Staff, and their veteran guest show their appreciation.

ALL TOGETHERCMS Students, Staff, and Veteran Guests mingle throughout the ceremony in the gym. Following the ceremony students and their guests congregated in the cafeteria for refreshments that were paid for using RSC grant funds.

THANK YOU, RSC!On behalf of my family and me, Charleston Middle School, and the community of Charleston, I want to extend a very sincere thank you to everyone at the Rural School Collaborative who funded our program. This continues to be a highlight within our community and is able to carry on through your support.