Cache County schools have a long history of commemorating Veterans Day. Across the district, schools honor veterans in various ways, such as assemblies, slideshows, musical performances, and artwork. Many students dress in their best to show respect to all veterans. 

 

Wellsville Elementary School has held its Veterans Day program for decades, and the assembly is a beloved tradition. 

 

“We invite our whole community,” Principal Glen Harris said. “We even stick a note in everyone’s water bill! It’s a great community event. A lot of the people who come come year after year.”

 

Harris emphasized the importance of educating students about patriotism and those who sacrifice for our freedoms. 

 

“It’s a great opportunity for us to teach our kids about our great country and what it takes to make a great country. It’s important to recognize those who made a sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms and the way of life that we have. The majority of the people in the world don’t have those freedoms, so it’s good for the kids to remember that.”

 

       

 

Students of every grade (K-6) in the school sang patriotic songs accompanied by miniature flags, instruments, and posters. Featured songs included perennial favorites such as “America the Beautiful,” “Yankee Doodle,” and “God Bless the U.S.A.” Each song was led by music teacher Brenda Arnell, who coordinated much of the event.

 

“We sing patriotic songs in classes, and Principal Harris makes sure that we talk about patriotic songs in our classroom,” Arnell said. “This is a huge tradition, and I feel so grateful to be a part of it all.”

 

The show culminated with a school-wide rendition of the beloved folk song “Homeward Bound.” Each student sang the song simultaneously in sign language and out loud.

 

“I love ‘Homeward Bound,’ and it’s a lot of hard words. My thought was, ‘Any time we can put actions to words, it really helps,’” Arnell explained. “There’s an amazing teacher here at the school, Paige Sampson, who knows sign language, so she taught it to me, and then I was able to teach it to the kids.”

 

   

 

Around 20 veterans in attendance stood and sang along to the ‘Military Medley’ as their branch of service was applauded by all. Several smiled through tears as they acknowledged the children’s enthusiastic support. After the assembly, veterans and their family members embraced and took pictures.

 

One veteran held her grandson tight. “I’m so glad I got to come,” she said. “Everything I did [in the service] was for you.”