[Video] Hunt Club Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day with Tribute and Song

The Hunt Club Elementary gymnasium rang with the sound of music Friday afternoon.

The entire school turned out to participate in a Veteran’s Day assembly, where they paid tribute to visiting veterans for their sacrifice and service over the years. 

The event started with a helicopter landing by Retired US Army Persian Gulf Veteran Major Chris Kieffer, whose wife Mary is the music teacher at Hunt Club. His passengers included District 308 Superintendent Matthew Wendt, School District Director of ELL and AT & Navy Lieutenant Chaplin Misael Nascimento and retired US Army Vietnam Veteran machine gunner specialist 4 Wayne Hassler. Retired Marine Al Scott displayed the flag upon their landing.

Two veterans of distinction included two WWII veterans, 94-year-old WWII Veteran Ed Walsh, the grandfather of Hunt Club kindergarten teacher Karen McCluckie and 93-year-old WWII Veteran John Seymour, the great-grandfather of 4th grader Regan Alzueta.

The school sang several songs to the gathered veterans under the direction of Mary Kieffer; including the Yankee Doodle Song, This is America and Hero. Assistant Principal John Francis played Taps on the trumpet later in the assembly.

“I want you to know how much they appreciate you and what you have done,” Mary Kieffer addressed the veterans, to which the students burst into applause and cheers.

“Their sacrifices then allow you to do what you can today,” said Hunt Club Principal Phil Murray to the assembled students.  “Thank you to all of our veterans.”

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