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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.As is tradition, a C.H. Campbell Elementary School second-grader presented a veteran with a flag which had been flown over the grave of a veteran in one of Canfield’s cemeteries during the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A group of C.H. Campbell Elementary School second-grade students performed a skit about conducting research on and learning about Veterans Day for a school project at the school's annual Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 12.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.On Nov. 12, C.H. Campbell Elementary School second-graders performed several patriotic songs as they honored local veterans at the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Susan Sansenbaugher, U.S. Army, served as keynote speaker at C.H. Campbell Elementary School’s annual Veterans Day Assembly.
By ABBY SLANKER
Students and faculty at C.H. Campbell Elementary School honored local veterans at the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 12.
The assembly featured Susan Sansenbaugher, U.S. Army.
C.H. Campbell Principal Travis Lavery welcomed everyone to the assembly.
“Good morning and welcome. Today is a special day as we are here to honor the veterans who have served our country and have kept us safe all these years. I’d like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Zarlenga-Buist and Mr. Fay for organizing this event. They have put in countless hours to give us the best program. I’d also like to thank our second graders who have put in lots of hard work learning these songs. This is a big performance and it doesn’t come off easily, but with the help of our committed staff, it looks like it does,” Lavery said.
Lavery introduced the second-grade class, which, under the direction of Michael Fay, C.H. Campbell music specialist, performed “The Star Spangled Banner.” The students also acted as narrators, giving the audience facts about and the history of Veterans Day.
A skit was then performed by a group of students, about conducting research on and learning about Veterans Day for a school project.
The second-graders took the stage again and led the audience in singing “God Bless America” and then performed “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Fourth-grade teacher Zarlenga-Buist introduced featured speaker Sansenbaugher .
“Welcome to all our veterans here today. Thank you for coming. This is our fifth annual Veterans Day program. I am proud to introduce Susan Sansenbaugher, U.S. Army. We are honored to have her here and she is proof that women can be veterans. I am excited to have her as our first female speaker here. It is to the benefit of young girls here today to see a female veteran. Girl power, right girls? Welcome, Susan,” Zarlenga-Buist said.
Sansenbaugher began her presentation by giving some statistics.
“We are here today to celebrate Veterans Day. To celebrate all men and women in the military. We are also here to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the day the guns went silent, effectively ending WWI. Of 100 women in the United States, one or two are vets. Of 100 men in the United States, 13 or 14 are vets. There are 67,000 female vets in Ohio, while there are 800,000 male vets,” Sansenbaugher said.
Sansenbaugher then moved onto why she joined the military.
“I joined the Army because, after graduating college, I couldn’t find a job. The steel mills had closed in this area and there weren’t many options. The year after I enlisted, the number of women went from two to six. This proved that women were interested, if they would be let in. I’m here to tell you that you can do it. You may have to try a different way, but if you try hard enough you can make it. If you want something bad enough, you can do it. Set your goals high and strive for them,” Sansenbaugher said.
Sansenbaugher told the audience the attitude of women in the military has changed.
“The attitude of women in the military has changed. In 1967, they started changing the rules about the number of women who could serve and increased the rank women could achieve. In 1976, West Point, the Naval Academy and all academies admitted women. In 1980, the first woman graduated. Now women can go into just about anything they want. Men and woman are serving side by side. They are a team and they support each other,” Sansenbaugher said.
To conclude her presentation, Sansenbaugher asked the students to listen to veterans’ stories.
“I encourage you to meet veterans. Ask what they did. Listen to their stories. Then thank them,” Sansenbaugher said.
Zarlenga-Buist then recognized the veterans in attendance. Each veteran was given a Hershey’s chocolate bar and a flag by a student, which was flown over the grave of a veteran in one of Canfield’s cemeteries.
“Thank you for preserving our special freedoms. Thank you for all you’ve done for our beloved U.S.A. We are honored to have you with us today. Freedoms and sacrifice go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. You put others first. You are superheroes with no capes. You display bravery, courage, dedication, honor and integrity,” Zarlenga-Buist said.
The second-graders took the stage again and performed “Salute to Armed Forces,” during which veterans were asked to stand during their branch’s song, to resounding applause.
In their final performance, the second-grader students sang “Proud To Be An American.”