Northwest Elementary commemorates Memorial Day
BUTLER TWP — For students at Northwest Elementary School, Memorial Day weekend is about more than a long weekend, community gatherings and enjoying the sun.
On Friday, May 22, the students in Meghan Serafine’s second-grade class welcomed their parents, grandparents and other loved ones to the school as they expressed their appreciation for those who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom.
“It’s important because without veterans fighting for our freedom and the ones who gave their lives for our freedom, we would not have the liberties that we do have,” Serafine said. “These kids get to enjoy the freedoms that they have.”
When singing “God Bless America,” parents filmed the second-graders proudly wearing their red, white and blue, belting out, “Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above.”
When they sang “God Bless the U.S.A.,” several of the grandparents, including some who fought for the country, sang along.
A slideshow of students’ loved ones highlighted those who served our country. This included parents who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan; grandparents who served in Vietnam; and great-grandparents who served in the Korean War and in World War II.
“This is just such a great event. It’s great to see how much the students care,” principal Matthew Martinez said.
The Memorial Day event was part of a bigger end-of-year celebration — students received end-of-year awards and enjoyed partaking in a butterfly release at the end of the school year.
Spirits were high and laid back, with the end of year in sight and weekend travels ahead for the families of Northwest Elementary; but the true meaning of Memorial Day, and why we celebrate it, was not lost on the second-grade students.
“I was really impressed with the students. It really was patriotic of them,” said Lloyd Painter, a veteran and grandparent.
