Photo by Stacey Tucker • Reese Elementary School students honor guests during Monday’s Veterans Day ceremony.
By Stacey Tucker
Staff Writer
REESE — Tears and hugs were exchanged by students and their family members during the Reese Elementary School’s fourth annual Veterans Day celebration Monday afternoon.
Each year, attendance at the event grows as students and staff prepare an event packed with music and tributes to area veterans. This year, 34 veterans were honored at the celebration.
“We had nice comments from the guests,” said Reese Elementary School principal Kris Krieger. “They like the thought and the effort.”
This year, the Reese High School band, led by band director Ms. King, prepared a special song for the event. The students also sang songs they have been preparing since September with music director Ms. Page.
“The kids have been working on these songs for Constitution Month in September,” Krieger said. “The staff donated desserts and water because the event has gotten so big.
“Everything is donated.”
The first year, 18 veterans were honored at the event, which has grown now to more than 30.
“The kids really put on a good show,” said veteran Don Petro Sr. “They really do a good job.”
After the presentation by the students, the veterans were announced, and students who had veterans come for the event were able to meet back up. The veterans are then invited to a small reception in the cafeteria with their family members.
“If they don’t have a student, we try to find extra students to sit with the veterans,” Krieger said.
Each student and their veteran is also photographed by Mrs. Cichowski, who is a co-organizer for the event.
“She makes sure she gets a photo of them all,” Krieger said. “It’s just a nice event.”
Stacey Tucker is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at tucker@tcadvertiser.com.