(Pictured above L-R are Greenfield Intermediate School students Max Hansen, Bentley Murray and Adam Musson as they prepare to Post the Colors at the beginning of their school’s Veterans Day program.)
Greenfield-Central’s Veterans Day ceremonies were not only red, white and blue this year– but purple too.
All eight Greenfield-Central schools were named to the list of Indiana Purple Star Schools. They are among an elite list of 100 schools that go above and beyond to recognize veterans and support military families.
The designation comes as an honor from both the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana National Guard, and the only schools in Hancock County to earn the honor.
GC leaders say they are proud of the Cougar culture to value veterans and instill patriotic pride year-round. While heartwarming tributes on Veterans Day certainly played a part in the designation, each school building also met the criteria to help military families and guarantee a job interview to veterans who qualify for open positions.
Across the entire corporation Monday and Tuesday, principals announced the designation to the applause of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles– many of whom are veterans themselves.
Bob Workman of the Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard said the honor is well-deserving, and he enjoys every GC ceremony he attends.
He had just finished attending a ceremony at Greenfield Intermediate School, where students celebrated veterans through song and dance, and applauded each one in the room.
“A lot of the schools don’t do Veterans Day programs– they (GC) do a good job,” Workman said. “It’s nice to see the patriotism of the kids. I hope they carry it on the rest of their lives.”
At Weston Elementary, children waved flags and sang songs – loud and proud– to a gymnasium full of parents and veterans.
“Dear veterans, your sacrifices have inspired us to become better citizens,” one child said into the microphone.
That is exactly what Greenfield-Central teachers and principals hope for: by teaching civics and patriotism, local children will carry on lessons of civic pride for years to come.
“We just really want to celebrate our veterans and our U.S. military families,” said Robin LeClaire, GC director of student services. “We feel it was truly appreciated by the community that the schools got these (Purple Star) designations.”
Each of the eight GC buildings applied individually, and met the criteria of the award. Criteria included having a point of contact for military families; hosting an annual program; having a display recognizing service members; and grade-level training requirements of three to six hours. The school corporation also ensures military service members and their immediate family members are guaranteed an interview for a job, so long as they meet minimum job qualifications for open positions.
The point of contact for military families is important, LeClaire said, because it represents a place for families to turn for family or academic support in case a parent is deployed.
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, said schools play a vital role in uniting communities to honor and celebrate service members and military families.
“At our Purple Star schools, this is a part of their culture, constantly seeking ways to make life a little easier for those who give so much,” Jenner said through a press release. “In doing so, our educators are helping students to understand the meaning of service, the importance of giving back and how – through civic pride and responsibility– they too can make our communities, our state and our nation a better place.”
At GC schools, Veterans Day ceremonies are certainly very special, LeClaire says. But it’s about more than just one day.
The Pledge of Allegiance is honored daily in every classroom, and flags are in each room and displayed at the front of each building.
Music and rhythm to patriotic songs are also encouraged across all grade levels, and students learn about the meaning and history of Veterans Day. Some classes write letters to those active in the service, or to older veterans about to take a trip on the Indy Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The letters are read while they’re on the plane, about to visit the monuments in their honor.
“We are very proud that our whole district was represented as Purple Star and that we, as a district, show that loyalty and commitment to our military families,” LeClaire said. “We want to show them our gratitude in ways other than just to thank them for their service on Veterans Day.”
Greenfield-Central teens are taught how to give back to their community, in service projects for veterans.
Greenfield-Central High School `pulls out all the stops to honor veterans, complete with a large American flag at the entrance of the school that welcomes a motorcade of veterans; a reception; and a gymnasium full of applauding students. This year, Cindy Parsons with the Wounded Warrior Project spoke.
LEAP students put a lot of time and effort into the GCHS program. Since 2021, students of the “Learn, Engage, Achieve, Perform” program have been honoring veterans through many community service projects. This year, students cleaned the headstones of 79 veterans at Philadelphia Church Cemetery. Students also created a GC Veterans Wall of Honor, with photographs and names of those who have served.
LEAP students mingled with veterans who came to the reception, thanking them personally for their service.
Darren Turner, LEAP teacher, said students learn critical thinking skills and values from talking with veterans. They learn about what they faced while on duty, and the challenges they may have faced upon their return to society.
Turner said they have a deeper appreciation for what sacrifice, duty, honor, respect and service truly mean.
“Each student now has their own story of what each of those words mean to them, after meeting veterans and participating in their service learning projects,” Turner said.
The class is continuing to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, with a goal of gathering $500 in donations.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said 100 schools statewide honor veterans “sacrifice and show their appreciation throughout the year– both in words and in action.”
Dr. Harold Olin, superintendent of GC schools, says he is incredibly pleased that each GC school earned the Purple Star designation.
“I know that each of our schools makes a concerted effort to honor the veterans in our community throughout the year, and especially during the second week of November,” he said.
Olin was among many GC administrators that attended the ceremonies at the schools Monday and Tuesday.
“I believe it is important for all community members to show gratitude and respect to all who serve in our nation’s armed forces,” Olin said. “The brave men and women who serve make great sacrifices that allow us to be the land of the free, and we should never forget that.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
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(photo from GCHS Veterans Day program) “I know that each of our schools makes a concerted effort to honor the veterans in our community throughout the year, and especially during the second week of November,” Dr. Olin said.