NEW MARKET — Students at New Market Elementary used this week to honor veterans as Memorial Day approaches.
The students have been raising funds all school year for the new Veterans Memorial Park. On Monday, the school’s student council presented VMP board members with a $1,134 check.
Kindergarten teacher and Student Council Advisor Glenna Livesay said the students and the community supported the project. The council designated one day per month as a “Dress Up Day.” Each month was a different theme. To participate in a dress up day, each student was asked to donate $1.
Livesay said the school puts a great deal of effort teaching kids the important job the country’s veterans has done.
“Our students learn about our veterans and they whole school got behind this effort,” Livesay said. “Our kids appreciate what our veterans and their sacrifices.”
Hope Smith, student council president, said supporting veterans is an important thing to do.
“Veterans do so much for our country and it is a good thing to be able to help them,” Smith said.
Smith’s favorite dress up days this past year were Hat Day and Hawaiian Day.
VMP board members were in attendance at the check presentation. This is the first time a Montgomery County school has made a large effort to support the park and the board was grateful.
“We thank you for this awesome gift,” VMP board member Kevin Cobb said. “Your job now is to tell everyone about the park. Please understand, this is your park.”
Several students said they had noticed the Veterans Memorial Park when driving past. Several said their favorite item on display is the Huey helicopter.
Cobb told the students that every generation is important in the constant battle for freedom. He ended his remarks with a quote from President Ronald Reagan.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extension,” Cobb read. “It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (next generation) to do the same.”
Cobb told students the board was going to honor them with a commemorative brick as a part of the display. He said the brick will have New Market Elementary School inscribed and will be placed near the flag.
“We are totally grateful for what you kids do,” VMP board member Mike Spencer said. “Maybe this will encourage other schools and groups to do something to raise a gift for the park.”
Cobb also invited the school to the grand opening of the park which tentatively will be in the fall.
The board continues to sell commemorative bricks. So far they have sold bricks to veterans, their families, churches, communities and businesses. The bricks are $100. Each brick can have up to 16 characters on three lines. Contact Post 72 for more details. The Veterans Memorial Park has acquired their 501c3 status so all donations can be tax deductible.
