Anoka-Hennepin schools celebrate Veterans Day with programs, learning opportunities
(11/12/18) On Nov. 9 or Nov. 12, all schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District held Veterans Day events or educational opportunities aimed at learning about and honoring those who have served or who are serving in the military.
Every school in the district recognized Veterans Day in some meaningful way, from all-school assemblies to flag-raising ceremonies to special lessons or veteran-speakers to come to class and discuss the importance of the day.
See photos from select schools and the celebrations they held to recognize Veterans Day.
- Blaine High School (Nov. 9).
- Andover High School (Nov. 12).
- Hamilton Elementary School (Nov. 12).
- Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts (Nov. 12).
Highlights
At Blaine High School (BHS), which held its celebration Friday, Nov. 9, the fieldhouse was packed with students, staff and current and former U.S. service members to celebrate Veterans Day.
The emotional event was punctuated by the family of former Blaine Police Officer and BHS resource officer Steve Nanney and his wife, Susie, who were killed last June in a motorcycle crash. Steve himself was a veteran, and many members of the couple’s family traveled from Missouri to honor and remember them and to present the colors during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts held an all-school assembly Nov. 12, where students presented drawings, songs, and poems in honor of veterans. Lincoln’s guest speaker this year was Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Kurt King Von Mende who spoke about his experience in the armed forces, which included deployments to Afghanistan following Sept. 11. King Von Mende and his wife have three children enrolled at Lincoln.
At Andover High School, a large group of local veterans joined students and staff Monday morning to hear an inspiring story from Staff Sergeant John Kriesel. Kriesel, a Cottage Grove native, was severely injured in Iraq on Dec. 2, 2006 when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device. Kriesel lost both of his legs and suffered numerous broken bones and internal injuries and was brought back to life three times.
Although he was told his chances of survival were slim and that he would be in a wheelchair the rest of his life, Kriesel walked out of Walter Reed Army Medical Center after nine months of rehabilitation. Kriesel said that his positive attitude and sense of humor allowed him to bounce back stronger than ever and shared that message with all in attendance. Kriesel is the author of the award-winning book "Still Standing" and currently works as the director of veteran services for Anoka County.
Hamilton Elementary School students had the opportunity to invite family members to school for a program on Monday. The event started outside where a flag-raising ceremony was held prior to a silent walk around the school. The festivities then moved inside where six students were chosen to read their essay about what Veterans Day means to them. Students were then surprised when kindergarten teacher Sara Sik set up a Skype video chat with her husband Sergeant First Class Sik who is currently deployed in Kuwait. Following the program, students who brought a guest were able to join for refreshments.
History
Veterans Day is always observed officially on Nov 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls, and marks the anniversary of the day World War I formally ended — at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
The United States previously observed the day as Armistice Day, but the U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, and is now the day our country honors persons who served in the United States Armed Forces.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District would like to thank all of our veterans and their families for their service and dedication.