Big Lake Elementary celebrates veterans

BIG LAKE — For five years, Big Lake Elementary School has held an annual Veterans Day Celebration in its gym. This is the only time of year where all grades are packed together under the same event. Visiting veterans also got a chance to eat breakfast with students and staff before the assembly. More than 400 people from the community gathered to hear speaker presentations, live music and view a Veterans Day slideshow. Houston High School’s band even showed up to provide music. It turned out that a vast majority of the students — both younger and older — had military in their family or were closely associated with someone who was. There were dozens of veterans in attendance; many were wearing their old uniforms.

“It’s a day of honoring the people who sacrifice so willingly,” said third grade teacher Jousette Mckeal.

Mckeal was the driving force behind the event. Mckeal’s father served in the military and she is an Army veteran herself. Serving and protecting the United States is something imprinted on Mckeal.

“It instills those values for the rest of your life,” Mckeal said.

She said the event has grown every year and has embedded in the mind of the school staff and surrounding community. She also makes sure the children each have a job. Some would stand at the entrance and greet everyone coming through, They would ask if they were a veteran, if they were they handed them a toy soldier with a quote by Zell Miller. “Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier.”

“The kids take this very seriously. I’m so proud of them,” Mckeal said.

Mckeal worked with students from third to fifth grade for two months to prepare their speeches for the event. Each student spoke individually for a moment to share their gratitude to the sacrifices made on their behalf.

Samantha Youmans is the Houston High School band instructor. She said her students were excited to come to the school. They practiced a lot.

“These kids worked their tails off,” Youmans said.

Many of the students went to Big Lake Elementary when they were younger. Some of them had younger siblings there. One student said they “felt old now.” Houston High School is one of the few schools in the Valley that offers pre-school programs.

“I went to this school since I was in pre-school. Five years later, I’m back!” said Houston High School band student, Scarlett O’Hara (just like “Gone with the Wind”).

Most of the band students said they had military in their family. They had a varying experiences but a common thread of what it meant to them.

“It’s to honor the people who served for us, like my grandpa who served in Vietnam,” said one student.

Brenna Reintsma is the Big Lake Elementary principal. She was thrilled by the turnout for the event.

“It means a lot to have our Big Lake family here,” Reintsma said.

She grew up with miliary on both sides of her family. She never served but she has a place for veterans in her heart.

“I was never brave enough to serve so these people are amazing to me. I have a lot of respect for them,” Reintsma said.

Miss Alaska, Angelina Klapperich made an appearance to mingle with the children and speak for a moment to the crowd of veterans.

“Whether you have military in your family or not, we’re all Americans and we need to honor what they’ve done for all of us. We all have different backgrounds and beliefs but days like today are for all of us to give thanks to those who shaped our country,” Klapperich said.

Ed Kellar, a veteran and former chaplain (military priest) gave a brief yet impassioned speech to the audience. He directly thanked the veterans and Big Lake Elementary for their efforts to bring everyone together.

“I thank God I can physically see you today because a lot of us don’t come back. Big Lake Elementary, you did it again. My heart is filled with joy,” Keller said.