Ronan's Glacier View School hosts area veterans

Students from Glacier View School in Ronan hosted guests for an annual luncheon, showing their appreciation toward their visitors.

For the fifth year in a row, the Veteran’s Celebration Program was held Thursday, Nov. 9, and it orchestrated by 21 students at the school.

Sarey Robinson, home and school leader, came up with the idea five years ago as a community service project for students.

“The kids spent about two months learning songs and practicing skits,” Robinson said.

During the performance portion of the program, students performed a skit set to the Country and Western song “All gave some, some gave all” by Billy Ray Cyrus, sang a variety of patriotic songs and played “Yankee Doodle Dandy” on their recorders.

A student interviewed county resident and veteran Bill Austin and a group of students shared a recent trip to the Ronan Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Following the performances, students served veterans lunch, which was donated by local stores.

The students also decorated the school gymnasium with homemade arts and crafts for the luncheon.

Veterans participate in the event largely by word of mouth, Robinson said.

“We don’t have people RSVP at all,” she explained, adding that there is an open door policy for veterans and their families to attend the annual celebration.

“Veterans aren’t the only ones that went through what they went through,” Robinson added.

Ronan VFW, the Honor Guard and people associated with Glacier View School have invited veterans for the program.

Students learn respect for elders as well as for their freedom, Robinson said, adding that the children get a first-hand lesson in history.

“Being able to honor the veterans gives (the students) a sense of pride,” she said.