Killbuck Elementary holds Veterans Day event

Killbuck Elementary fifth-grader Zack Annett walked into the school’s gymnasium during the annual Veterans Day breakfast and celebration on Thursday, Nov. 10 with great purpose.

Like many of the Killbuck students, he had written a letter to a U.S. veteran, each of the letters thanking the corresponding service man or woman for their service.

Annett’s letter went to Joe Monter, an Air Force veteran who now serves with the Holmes County Veterans Office.

Annett rounded a corner of the gym and shook hands with Monter, a smile on both their faces. The two spoke amidst the chaos of many people chattering, but a connection was made.

Monter then turned and retrieved a small pin from behind him, crouched down, and handed it to Annett, a memento of their meeting, a reminder of the importance of honoring those who served.

“I liked getting a chance to meet him,” Annett said. “It’s really cool.”

Monter said getting a chance to talk to him was something he will cherish, as will the other veterans who connected with students during the day.

“It’s meaningful to all of us,” Monter said. “It’s great to have them experience something like this firsthand and for us to share what it means to serve.”

The letter-writing campaign is something the fifth-grade students at Killbuck have done for years. Teacher Shelby Evans said creating an avenue for the youngsters to connect with veterans is something that can help them gain insight into the sacrifices and service the veterans put forth.

She said each classroom wrote letters or colored pictures for the veterans as a way of saying thank you and to honor them for their support of the country.

The letters were then presented to the Women’s Auxiliary Millersburg Legion members, who mailed them out.

Evans said in return she received a large stack of letters from the veterans, who took time to correspond with the students through written form. At the event some of them got to meet face to face.

“This relationship is inspiring to see as our kids get a chance to make that connection in person or through the letters, to better understand everything our veterans did for our nation,” Evans said.

The Veterans Day program moved from the breakfast into the cemetery beside the school, where the presentation continued. Guest speaker Keith Rumbaugh shared with the student body, and a reader’s theater presentation was given by students John Dalessandro, Maci Zaugg, Jayden Troyer, Sloane Weber, Ethan Schlagenhauser and Aiden Hoxworth.

There also was a reading of “I Am the Flag” presented by students Kinley Goans, Trinity Compton, Holdyn Shamp and Jillian Jones.

With a gun salute capping off the ceremony, the event was a way for the veterans to share and for the students to show their appreciation in honoring the vets.

“This is such an important day for the kids here at Killbuck, and they have made a great effort to honor our veterans,” Killbuck Principal Brian Lash said. “They’ve been working hard on projects, making placemats, writing letters, and this is an important time for our community and for the school because it shows how much we at Killbuck are trying to give back to our veterans and to our community.”

Lash said the passing back and forth of care between the school and community is important, and teaching the students the importance of connecting with community and showing respect for the veterans are both valuable lessons.

Linda Wilcox, part of Killbuck VFW Post 7079, headed up the preparation for the sausage and gravy breakfast for the veterans, working closely with the school to prepare the gymnasium and transform it into a dining hall.

She said having the legion work with the school enhances community spirit. Having not done the ceremony for the past two years due to COVID, Wilcox said getting back to the program was important.

“This event gives the Killbuck community a chance to unite and create something special to honor a very special group of people,” said Wilcox, who comes from a military family. “I know this day means so much to our veterans. I know how important this event was to my dad, who passed away in 2017. It’s a tradition that is important for our children to experience, and it is a wonderful way to unite our veterans so they can share.”

Veteran Woody Wilson, who emceed the event, said he was pleased nearly every seat at the event was filled with veterans, their spouses and family members. He said seeing young people connect with the veterans continues the important legacy put in place by the service of these veterans.

“It’s important that they understand what we did for our country,” Wilson said. “Our hope is that they might someday do the same for their future generations.”

He said even if they don’t serve their country in the military, it is important to instill in the young people the honor and commitment derived from serving their communities in other ways, anything that can help pay back the rights and privileges earned by the veterans.

“It’s heartwarming to me to see the teachers here observing and upholding the traditions through their Veterans Day program,” Wilson said.

A sentiment shared by both the veterans and students during a day that brought plenty of feel-good moments to the table.