The CET Kindness Club’s Annual Event Honors Veterans and Warms Hearts

“Today’s the day!” Members of the CET Kindness Club were excited to welcome “real-life superheroes” to their school last Thursday for their annual Veterans Day celebration. Each year, an invitation is sent to the entire community, inviting all veterans to attend this event, lovingly coordinated in their honor. Ms. Marlena Horton, who co-supervises the Kindness Club with Ms. Ana Maria Strattner, shared that this year’s event had the largest turnout and many veterans traveled a distance to be there. 

CET Principal Kerri Bianchi said this special tradition is “a time to teach our youngest Tigers about the importance of Veterans Day and honoring those who have served our country.” 

Feelings of gratitude and pride radiated on a particularly chilly November morning at CET. Attendees were welcomed with student-made signs lining the circle in front of the school, along with children waving American flags and singing patriotic songs to honor their guests. 

This was the first year that the West Point Band and Color Guard joined the celebration. After the playing of “Taps,” the entire assembly paused for a moment of silence in honor of all veterans.

After the assembly, students were eager to give back by serving breakfast to these special guests. Veterans connected to a CET student get to enjoy breakfast together and then visit that child’s classroom to read a book or share a special story.

During this time, students not only learn about why we celebrate Veterans Day, but they are also excited to learn more about the veterans in their lives. Third-grader Marin learned that her dad’s favorite country to see while in the Army was Greece. Her dad shared his appreciation for the event, saying that Kindness Club “goes above and beyond to say thank you.”

Army veteran John Ghegan attended the event for the second time and said he would “make it a point” to be back next year. He was thrilled to see children “getting an education in patriotism” and can’t wait until his grandchildren are old enough to attend CET.