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Fifth-grade choir sings to honor military personnel
Veterans Day
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Veterans Day 2008
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SPECIAL GIFT - Army National Guard Specialist Sandra Nickells with her son Tyler Nickells presented a flag to the school - during the ceremony at Frank Ohl Middle School in Austintown.
By Elise Franco
An American Flag was flown July 3-5 in Afghanistan especially for the school.
AUSTINTOWN — Dressed in red, white and blue, the Frank Ohl Intermediate School fifth-grade choir sang its way into the hearts of classmates, teachers, family members and veterans.
The choir’s performance Tuesday morning was part of Frank Ohl’s annual Veterans Day assembly.
Choir members sang songs such as “America,” “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America,” as well as the songs for each division of the military.
“Each year on Veterans Day we take the time to honor and remember veterans who have defended our freedom,” school Principal Dennis Rice said.
Rice said the Veterans Day assembly is a tradition that was put in place before he began at the school eight years ago.
“We’ve been doing this program since I’ve been here,” he said. “I thought it was important for the kids to keep it going.”
Formerly known as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I and its veterans, the holiday was changed to Veterans Day 55 years ago to honor all veterans, explained Bethany Batdorff, assistant principal.
She then introduced four pupils who prepared readings.
In her reading, fifth-grader Alison Rein said Veterans Day means a lot to her father, a veteran.
“The day is a reminder of the cost of freedom we have in America,” she said.
Allisyn Mahoney, another fifth-grader, said she’s had at least one family member serve in every war up until today.
“Veterans Day honors my family and family’s friends,” she said. “It scares me sometimes, but I’m glad they took the risk because I learned many family members are veterans, and a lot of people probably consider them heroes.”
One pupil was able to introduce the entire student body to his own personal hero.
Fifth-grader Tyler Nickell brought his mom, Sandra Nickell, to talk about life in the military.
Sandra Nickell, Army National Guard human resources specialist, spent a year away from her 9-year-old son — 10 months of which was spent in Afghanistan.
“I’ve always admired every branch of the military,” she said. “The attacks on 9/11 made me want to join.”
Sandra Nickell said taking the time to speak at Tuesday’s assembly was important to her.
“I wanted to make sure they understand how important Veterans Day is and what it means.”
Tyler Nickell said it was difficult having his mother away for so long, and he’s happy she’s back.
“We had to go through a lot of changes when she left and also when she came home,” he said.
After speaking briefly about life overseas, Sandra Nickell presented the school with an American flag that was flown July 3-5 in Afghanistan especially for the school.
Like his mother, Tyler said he thought it was important to celebrate and honor all veterans.
“It’s so important because of all the people who risked their lives for America’s freedom,” he said.
efranco@vindy.com