By: Jordan Frantz

On the morning of November 9, Bell Creek Intermediate gave back to its veterans with a morning full of great food, decorations, and honoring those who deserve to be recognized. This memorable event treats veterans to a day dedicated to their service and sacrifices. 

Veterans Day is a national holiday that is celebrated on November 11 to honor and remember military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. 

“Veterans Day is very important for all of us in our country to remember,” BCI teacher Scott Anderson said. “We think that this day at BCI will be one that students, teachers, parents and veterans that attend will remember for a long time!”

The annual Veterans Day Breakfast allows the staff and students to give back to those who served our country by providing them with a tasty breakfast. 

“I really appreciate that the staff and students go out of their way to recognize our military service members,” veteran and high school teacher Josh Craig said. “It’s something positive to model for the students.”

In the week leading up to the breakfast, the students at BCI were busy making this day memorable for the attendees. 

“Students help to decorate our building to get it ready for our veterans before they come into our school,” Anderson said. “The students also decorate breakfast bags. These bags contain a ‘Breakfast To Go’ for the visiting veterans to enjoy.  We typically have a 5th grade choir and they practice before the event to lead everyone in the ceremony in the singing of ‘The Star Spangled Banner.'”

“There were streamers in the hallways, students were waving flags and thanking the veterans for their service, patriotic music was playing over the loudspeaker so it was a very patriotic atmosphere,” Craig said. “After the event, we were able to get a picture in front of a student-created American Flag and got a breakfast bag that was decorated by the students which was really nice. It took a lot of planning and we’re very appreciative of the recognition and efforts made by everyone at BCI!”

The veterans who were not able to attend the breakfast were sent “Thank you Letters” from BCI students to honor the veterans who are currently serving or used to serve. 

Before the event took place the students of BCI learned why Americans celebrate every November 11. 

“Before the event, we discuss and teach our students about who and what veterans are,” Anderson said. “We teach the importance of all that veterans do for us and our country.” 

“It’s a great time to reflect on the freedoms we have as Americans and appreciate the sacrifices required by those serving in the military needed to ensure that we can continue to enjoy those freedoms,” Craig said.