Students from Bangs Middle School honored Veterans on Wednesday morning with a program in the high school auditorium. U.S. flags, and flags representing each branch of the military, flew proudly at the entrance to the Bangs school campus and at the entrance to the high school auditorium.
Participating students included Neeley Bradley, Gentry Shepard, Kason Klutts, Kasey Solis, Cason Tidwell, Aubrey Martin, Serena Baker, Karli Gordon, Jalynn Carrillo, Jalynn Gotcher, Charlie Smith and Justice Baker.
Mr. Perkins and the Bangs High School Band performed America the Beautiful, National Anthem and the Armed Forces Medley for each branch of the military. Veterans in attendance stood and were applauded. Jackson Light also performed Taps in remembrance of fallen heroes.
Organizing the Veterans Day Celebration was Bangs 5th and 6th grade English teacher, Cillena Guthrie.
“For several years now, we have reached out into the community. We just want to honor the Veterans for their sacrifices that they’ve made. We have a Student Council that is elected each year and those kids take an active role in learning parts. We seem to be, sometimes, losing the idea of patriotism. We want to continue to instill that patriotism in our young people. The program is designed to not only honor our Veterans but to be a teachable moment for our young people,” Guthrie said.
Bangs students who have committed to joining the military in 2021 made their way to the stage and were honored by the audience.
Afterwards, Veterans and guests gathered in the school lunchroom for a reception.
Members of the Bangs High School Band are shown performing during a Veterans Day Program Wednesday in the school auditorium.