Elementary pupils raise money to help special cause for vets

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Kindergartener Liesl Kuschnerus peeks into the auditorium from the hallway before the "We Celebrate America" program at John F. Kennedy School in Kettering. The highlight of the program was the presentation of a check to Veteran of Foreign Wars State Commander Leon Johnson to buy bugles for local VFW posts.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Santorum to visit Warren County
2/12/12
Benefit dinner held for girl  who died in car accident
2/12/12
Suburbs looking for ways to save, focus on regional issues
2/12/12
Victim of human trafficking speaks to students
2/12/12
Bullying law brings rule changes
2/12/12
> More headlines

By Chelsey Levingston, Contributing Writer 4:52 PM Wednesday, December 2, 2009

KETTERING — John F. Kennedy Elementary School students have a deep respect for veterans and this year put their money where their mouths are — with a special presentation to Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Students raised $1,420.50 in their fall service project for Bugles Across America, a national organization striving to provide every deceased veteran a live rendition of taps.

Students like Josh Jahn of Rascals, a fourth- and fifth-grader organization, handed out red and white carnations to veterans representing every war since World War II at the school’s Thanksgiving program, said principal Amy Allen.

“I like supporting our troops and my grandpa was a veteran and I got to support him, too,” said Jahn.

Leon Johnson, Ohio VFW state commander, accepted the donation on behalf of the VFW for Bugles Across America.

“On behalf of the Veterans for Foreign Wars and its auxiliaries, I will make sure the money is used for what it was raised for,” said Johnson. “This is just totally awesome.”

All 560 students participated in the Nov. 24 program, which featured soloists Lexi Davis, James Baker, Erin Posey and Jay Drennen, and ended with students waving American flags to loud applause in the packed gymnasium.

“It felt good. It was fun because I felt like I was helping a lot,” said Laura Gaines, a fourth-grader.

Her classmate Jaden Newberry was nervous. “I was kind of scared with the mayor being here,” said Newberry.

“I thought it sounded good.”

The program tradition, well over 10 years old, often honors either veterans or Thanksgiving, said Jody Wilson, music teacher.

“I think it went very well. We did what we wanted to do and that was honor veterans and we wanted to teach the children about patriotism,” said Wilson.

Share this article