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For Honor And Old Glory

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

RIVERVIEW - More than 1,000 students at Boyette Springs Elementary School did not wait until Veterans Day to honor those connected to the U.S. armed forces.

They were joined by faculty and family for the school's second annual Veterans Day program at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9, two days before the holiday.

"We have a high number of military families in the area, so we thought it would be a good idea to put something together for them," said Amanda Williams, who helped organized the event with fellow teachers Tracey Holmes, Kristi Ricketts, Rebecca Sargable and Tina Schipfer.

More than a dozen military personnel with connections to students or teachers at Boyette Springs participated in the program, including retired Col. John Lyle, who provided a brief history of the holiday.

"This day isn't only important in the United States," Lyle said. "Our allies also celebrate Veterans Day."

Principal Nancy Dukes opened the program by introducing the military personnel in attendance.

"We're very grateful for their participation, and I think the kids get especially excited to see them," Dukes said.

Later, the Riverview High School color guard presented the flags, followed by three patriotic songs performed by the school's chorus.

In addition to the day's program, there were several displays throughout the school paying tribute to the armed forces.

These included more than 500 miniature flags planted on a hill in front of the school. The double-sided flags, which featured a patriotic design by each of the students, were planted with help from families.

"We had parents out here the night before the program hammering the flags in," Williams said. "When the kids saw them this morning it was a nice surprise."

There was also a wall of honor near the main office featuring photographs of veterans.

"It's been a very successful program for two years, and we're looking forward to doing it again next year," Dukes said.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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