More than 55 United States veterans received a special tribute from St. Margaret’s grade 8 students during a celebration last week culminating the end of a unique grade 8 history project. Starting in January, students worked in pairs to interview veterans of their choosing and honor them in a way that ensured their service to the nation will never be forgotten.

The project was developed as a service learning component to the grade 8 U.S. history curriculum. “It was a natural fit to take the concepts we’ve talked about all year: courage, hope, faith, honor and love, just to name a few, and link them to this veteran’s project,” said Middle School Assistant Principal and history teacher Mike Allison. “The project gave our grade 8 students a chance to interact with veterans and give thanks for all they have done for our nation, and it provided an opportunity to honor and record these traits in men and women who have served our nation in the military.”

According to Middle School Director of Community Life Holly Reilly, the project was inspired by the grade 8 Washington, D.C. trip and a request made by the Middle School Student Council to engage more with the community.

Students contacted a veteran, either a relative; a family friend; a co-worker of a parent; or a resident at Brookdale Senior Living, and interviewed them with a list of questions that coincided with student themes pertaining to the question: What was it that allowed our country to become what it is? Student themes included: love, honor, duty, courage, respect, faith, hope and many more. After the interview, students transcribed what was said and created a gift for each veteran. Some students made movies, others made photobooks, quote-books, flag cases or shadowboxes with photos and medals earned. The veterans were then invited to campus to see and receive the project.

During the celebration, students, veterans and parents mingled in the Performing Arts Center foyer looking at projects, then listened to student speakers Camilla Cassinelli and Robert Healy and St. Margaret’s Upper School history teacher and a 20-plus year veteran of the United States Marine Corps Rocky Parker share what it means to serve. Grade 1 students also attended the presentation to coincide with their year-long theme of safety. In March, the Middle and Lower School students teamed up to show service members how much they are appreciated by writing thank you letters to those serving overseas in the Armed Forces. Click here to read the Tartan Today article.

After the presentation, students gifted their project to their veteran.

“Giving thanks to others is important,” said Mr. Allison. “History is more than dates and facts, it’s really about people and the relationships between people. Walking around and looking at all the gifts created for the veterans was inspiring because they truly reflected the importance the students themselves placed on the project. What was even more inspiring was seeing the interactions between the veterans and our students. An important generational link was created that won’t be broken. We are very proud of our students and the fact that they put their hearts into this project.”

 

Mrs. Reilly added, “As Middle School pursues further opportunities to incorporate service learning into the student experience, we look forward to continuing this project in future years. Thank you to all United States servicemen and women for their contributions to our country.”

Below are speeches by student presenters Camilla Cassinelli and Robert Healy:

“Today we are gathered to celebrate every veteran in this room and out in the world. We are honored to be here in the presence of so many valiant veterans. Every eighth grader in this room has gone through the same process, but all results were different from the other. This process began with finding a veteran willing to be interviewed. Once the interview has taken place the pair of students made something for their veteran. A letter, a painting or a scrapbook; all these gifts are meant to thank you for your service and risking your life for our country.

“Personally, I have gained so much from this project that I want to thank my veteran for teaching me things I couldn’t learn from a book. During our interview, I asked how service has impacted her life and she responded, ‘I’d probably say a few ways. Number one is integrity and just doing the right thing no matter what and really having firm values in what I believe in and standing for those.’

“My veteran taught me to stand up for what I believe and while also allowing others to stand up for what they believe in. Few people can build up the nerve to commit to something, but putting your life on the line for others is a trait that we see very little in our society. Thank you once again for your courage to serve our country.”

“When I think of a veteran, I see courage, dedication, service, honor, brotherhood, loss, will, sacrifice, and most of all bravery. For my project, I interviewed my father Rob Healy, and I focused on bravery. When I asked him what brave act he did in the military he gave a response that I would have never thought he would have given. He said, "Brave. I find the whole concept of being brave kind of awkward. What I really think is guys were just doing their job. I guess, if you define bravery as doing the job you're trained to do while under enemy fire, then fine, that's bravery, I did that."

“I didn't expect a man who had done so much in the military, a man that has been an outstanding symbol of bravery throughout my childhood and to the current day, to give an answer like that. After this project I still think that bravery is a major quality that all soldiers need to have, but after hearing what my father said, and what other veterans stated in their interviews, I think about humility.

“Veterans are so humble and it is truly remarkable that for, the veterans I have talked to, seem to have no problem putting their life on the line. The dedication they have for their country and the strength, not only physically but mentally as well, is incredible. My dad's friend Greg Gatson, who lost both his legs in combat, lives life like any average person. He doesn't want any special attention or treatment, and he has gone on to be a successful actor, the star in the movie Battleship. But what sets him apart from an average person, is the drive and perseverance this man has to push past his setbacks. To look death in the eyes and walk through it.

“He is an amazing man, and my respect for him, and any other veteran, is undying. All of you have lost something and you act like it was nothing. I just want to say that no matter how much you think that risking your life wasn't a big deal, it is, and I thank you so very much for it. I thank you for keeping this country’s freedom safe from evils. Thank you so much not just for your service, but for your sacrifice, for loving this country so much that you would sacrifice everything, for your bravery and courage, and thank you for giving so much of yourself for the greater good. I respect all of you, and I thank you.”