Veterans Day Has Become Veterans Week at DMPS
The observance of Veterans Day takes place over several days at schools throughout Des Moines.
November 11 is designated as Veterans Day in America but at DMPS it’s more like Veterans Week.
Observances at schools around the district began with an assembly last Wednesday at Goodrell Middle School and will culminate this Wednesday with ceremonies featuring the Marine JROTC corps at North High School.
Last Friday we sat in on a couple of programs at district elementary schools, one that’s been following the same script for many years and another that had a distinctly 2016 flavor to it.
They’ve been honoring veterans at Park Avenue Elementary as far back as anyone there can remember. Students write letters of invitation to ex-servicemen and women in the neighborhood and lots of them turn out every year. Kids sing the “fight songs” for every military branch, among lots of other red, white and blue tunes, and with gusto! A raffle is held to award homemade blankets and a Cub Scout color guard marches in to present the flag that everyone re-pledges allegiance to. Afterwards at the cookie reception pairs of pen pals comprised of fresh-faced schoolkids and old soldiers get to meet face to face and exchange thanks. It’s been going on for a long time but it never gets old.
Perkins Elementary held an assembly at the end of the day that featured an especially timely speaker. Jim Mowrer is a Penguin parent and an Iraq war veteran who this year just happened to be only three days removed from a defeat in his bid for election to Congress. Who better to speak to the American hallmark of free and fair elections? Mowrer delivered some moving and personal remarks about not only the sacrifice of military service but also the duties that are shared by all American citizens. Principal Dan Koss had a tough act to follow with his closing remarks but, as a former United State Marine, he was up to it. He talked about all of the hats he’s worn in the different roles he’s played during his life, proudly including the USMC one he wore to school on Friday.
General Douglas Macarthur uttered what’s become a famous quote on the occasion of his retirement from military service in 19??: “Old soldiers never die,” he said, “they just fade away.”
You wouldn’t know it in this school district. Wednesday morning the cadets at North will honor those in whose footsteps they follow, the perfect capstone on another Veterans Day, make that Veterans Week, in DMPS.
Photos of DMPS Veterans Day Observances
