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Dear Editor:

On behalf of our students and staff in the Maryville City Schools and in response to a late September letter to the editor that appeared in The Daily Times, I wish to extend an open invitation to the community to join us in our schools this November as we pause to honor our veterans. Our annual Veterans Assembly and largest public event will be held at Maryville High School at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the gymnasium. The program actually starts at 9:50 a.m., but you will need to get there early to find a seat.

Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America's veterans - not only for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good, but for their patriotism and love of country. In addition to the event at Maryville High, age appropriate activities are planned at all Maryville schools.

Younger students enjoy visits from family members who are veterans or serving on active duty. They also sing songs, write essays, share photos, do service projects and more. As they get older, flag ceremonies help students pause and learn respect for the sacrifice of others. Other students will be assigned research papers or watch documentaries that correspond with curriculum. Classroom discussions at Maryville Middle School this year should be especially poignant, since Army Reservist Andy Pokelwaldt (MMS Special Education teacher) was deployed last week for 12 months to Ft. McPherson, Ga. We will use our school news and daily announcements to remind staff, students and parents of the many ways and the abundance of reasons for honoring our vets.

The Veterans assembly on Nov. 5 will mark the 16th annual event at Maryville High School - an event that has honored over 1,200 area veterans. Hundreds of students have conducted in-depth interviews, often with family members, to reveal facts and personal history that was either unknown or unappreciated until they had a chance to share their stories. I would submit that one of the best ways to understand and appreciate any subject is to listen to a personal account - a soldier's story - possibly a story you will share for others to appreciate.

Last year Michael Ferschke's family was presented with a flag during the Veteran's assembly at MHS. When Michael's mother spoke to the student body, it was a day few in attendance will ever forget. You could hear a pin drop in a gymnasium filled to capacity with 1,500 students, 150 staff members, many guests, veterans and active duty servicemen and women in uniform - some unable to stand, but proud to salute. Last spring, the Maryville City Schools sent two graduates to the Air Force Academy and one to the Naval Academy - officers in training who will eventually join another 16 from their senior class who plan to join the United States military.

As an employee of the Maryville City Schools and an Air Force Veteran, I feel very honored and proud to be part of an organization that promotes active learning with students and offers programs that celebrate patriotism and service. When the Red Rebel Band plays the United States Air Force anthem at the assembly on Nov. 5, I will proudly stand. Those few brief moments of honor give me and other patriots an opportunity to reflect on our service, our freedom and the privilege we all share in this great country.

Veteran's Day is Nov. 11 each year, but I challenge you to honor veterans, model respect, and teach the importance of patriotism every day.

Faithfully,

Sharon Hughes Anglim

USAF Veteran

Maryville City Schools

Director of Communications

833 Lawrence Ave.

Maryville, TN 37803