Projects for Veterans

Veterans Day

Valentines for Veterans

It has been a mission of mine to make sure that the students I teach understand what a Veteran is, who they are in our community, and what they have done for our country. It is important to link our children, our future, with our Veterans so that we all can better appreciate the lifeblood of our country.

It is the Veteran whose service, courage, and honor built this country, and it is the children, our future, who must learn that the freedoms we have are not free.

Great Veteran Video

VETERANS DAY PROGRAMS

For the past ten years we have held a Veterans Day program at Leon Sheffield (previously Gordon-Bibb). Our Fine Arts Department began it as a small celebration in our gym for our students, their families, and some of our local Veteran Posts. Our program handily outgrew our gym and we had to hold the exercise outside by our flag pole at the old Gordon-Bibb building to accommodate our growing numbers of students as well as the audience.

Greeting Veterans prior to our program. My father, Hank Miller, was in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea.

Veteran of the Year 2006!

Our program has grown to include:

Beginning our ceremony with the Decatur Police Department's Color Guard and posting of the Colors.

Banners listing the Veterans and their branch of service from our extended Gordon-Bibb family on display.

A growing number of Veterans from our extended family attending our program yearly.

Student winners reading their work in categories of poetry and essays about Veterans (3rd and 4th grades respectively), and a letter to a Veteran (5th grade.)

Naming a Veteran of the Year and presenting that person with a plaque.

Members of the VFW and American Legion Posts as well as the Veterans in our Police and Fire Departments, and Decatur City School System.

Brewer High School's band have participated several years in our program. They have played many patriotic melodies as well as a very moving rendition of an echoing "Taps."

The Gordon-Bibb/Benjamin Davis PTA has provided refreshments for our Veteran guests prior to our program.

VALENTINES FOR VETERANS

We have created Valentines for Veterans for ten years now. This worthwhile service learning project has the students creating Valentine cards for Veterans that are at our local Posts, Armory and Arsenal, but also the two Veteran Administration Hospitals and the five Veteran Homes within the state of Alabama. Then we send out shoe boxes full of cards to those currently serving overseas. Some may be friends or family of one of our GB family or they could be units given to us by the Alabama National Guard or local units at the Arsenal.

We want those who have served, and those who are serving now, that we care and that our thoughts and prayers are with them, wherever they may be.

Students sorting valentines last year when we were at the old Gordon-Bibb in the basement art room.

Creative Crew students painting banners to be placed in the boxes to be mailed to our Veterans.

Montoya's very special card.

Students spend one to two classes in art making cards. The rest of the cards that the students create will be made at home or when their work in class is finished. We try to create as many well-made cards as we can and we've inspired family and friends to help make them with us.

Click Mona to go back to the home page.

	Click Mona to go back to the home page.
	Projects for Veterans Veterans Day & Valentines for Veterans


	It has been a mission of mine to make sure that the students I teach understand what a Veteran is, who they are in our community, and what they have done for our country. It is important to link our children, our future, with our Veterans so that we all can better appreciate the lifeblood of our country. It is the Veteran whose service, courage, and honor built this country, and it is the children, our future, who must learn that the freedoms we have are not free. Great Veteran Video
	VETERANS DAY PROGRAMS For the past ten years we have held a Veterans Day program at Leon Sheffield (previously Gordon-Bibb). Our Fine Arts Department began it as a small celebration in our gym for our students, their families, and some of our local Veteran Posts. Our program handily outgrew our gym and we had to hold the exercise outside by our flag pole at the old Gordon-Bibb building to accommodate our growing numbers of students as well as the audience.
	Greeting Veterans prior to our program. My father, Hank Miller, was in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea. Veteran of the Year 2006!
	Our program has grown to include: Beginning our ceremony with the Decatur Police Department's Color Guard and posting of the Colors. Banners listing the Veterans and their branch of service from our extended Gordon-Bibb family on display. A growing number of Veterans from our extended family attending our program yearly. Student winners reading their work in categories of poetry and essays about Veterans (3rd and 4th grades respectively), and a letter to a Veteran (5th grade.) Naming a Veteran of the Year and presenting that person with a plaque. Members of the VFW and American Legion Posts as well as the Veterans in our Police and Fire Departments, and Decatur City School System. Brewer High School's band have participated several years in our program. They have played many patriotic melodies as well as a very moving rendition of an echoing "Taps." The Gordon-Bibb/Benjamin Davis PTA has provided refreshments for our Veteran guests prior to our program.

	VALENTINES FOR VETERANS We have created Valentines for Veterans for ten years now. This worthwhile service learning project has the students creating Valentine cards for Veterans that are at our local Posts, Armory and Arsenal, but also the two Veteran Administration Hospitals and the five Veteran Homes within the state of Alabama. Then we send out shoe boxes full of cards to those currently serving overseas. Some may be friends or family of one of our GB family or they could be units given to us by the Alabama National Guard or local units at the Arsenal. We want those who have served, and those who are serving now, that we care and that our thoughts and prayers are with them, wherever they may be.
	Students sorting valentines last year when we were at the old Gordon-Bibb in the basement art room. Creative Crew students painting banners to be placed in the boxes to be mailed to our Veterans. Montoya's very special card. Students spend one to two classes in art making cards. The rest of the cards that the students create will be made at home or when their work in class is finished. We try to create as many well-made cards as we can and we've inspired family and friends to help make them with us.
	Click Mona to go back to the home page.