An estimated 100 veterans felt a shower of patriotism and appreciation Tuesday at Columbia Middle School as the entire student body of 600, plus faculty and staff greeted their arrival during an appreciation breakfast and assembly in the gymnasium with continuous thundering standing applause.

The event, conceived and put together by CMS assistant principal Courtney Castelli, was the first of its kind at the school and was a resounding success.

Each veteran was escorted by a child or grandchild from the school, who brought them to the gym after they had shared a light breakfast of rolls, coffee, orange juice and milk together in the CMS cafetorium.

Once they were in the first four rows of the bleachers, which were reserved for them, the veterans and students joined in pledging allegiance to the flag and remained standing to hear the school’s seventh and eighth grade choirs deliver a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.”

CMS eighth graders Emma Groetecke and Blake Roider told the assembly of the history and meaning of Veterans Day, which originally commemorated the end of World War I…>>>

Read the full story in the November 11 issue of the Republic-Times. If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.