Students show vets their gratitude
Students and faculty members at Central Christian Academy in Chartiers Township honored more than 30 past and present service members Friday with a special Veterans Day program that included waving flags, music and poetry.
Kathryn Kicinski, a 10-year-old fifth-grader from Canonsburg, said she couldn’t wait to show her support for the troops by playing her saxophone with her school band.
“I’m looking forward to playing ‘God Bless America’ for the veterans,” Kicinski said. “I think it is an honor. My dad and grandfather were both in the service, and my grandfather was in World War II.”
The students, broken up by grade and wearing red, white or blue T-shirts, took turns performing for about an hour while Marine Corps League Washington County Detachment 1138 performed ceremonial color guard duties.
“We meet on this Veterans Day every year to focus our minds on what’s most important,” said Glenda Carter, English teacher and program director. “My dad was a World War II vet, and I’m so honored by him.
“But what really motivates me was my cousin who was a Vietnam combat veteran. When he came home, a group of people spit on him. When I became a teacher, I made sure that every veteran would be honored by my students.”
Carter said the veterans who participated in the program were recruited from the community, student and staff families and members of Central Assembly of God church, which oversees the academy.
The program featured guest speaker James Harshman, a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“Personally, my service is nothing,” Harshman said. “It’s very overwhelming to see this generation in front of me and the generations that came before. I’m so proud to be a part of this and a part of this country.”
Amber Miller is a specialist in the Army. For her, the celebration had extra significance because her son, Tayvian, is a third-grader at the academy. She was also a student at the school.
“I thought it was awesome,” Miller said. “I don’t remember doing as big of a show as they did for us.”
After the students were finished performing, they went through the line of veterans and thanked them personally with a handshake.
“This is such a nice service,” said George Wiggins, a member of the Air Force from 1962 through 1966. “I really enjoyed it. I liked meeting the kids and the band. For as small as they are, they sounded good.”