Remembering Veterans Everywhere

Sometimes it is easy to forget to take a moment to remember, honor, and thank all those who have served on our behalf, but that is exactly what Sleepy Eye third graders with the help of Mrs. Jensen who arranged for an in-school visit from local military personnel.

In addition to learning more about this annually celebrated federal holiday, students were also treated to a first-hand demonstration on how to properly fold the American flag as well as an up-close viewing of various military uniforms. During which time students garnered valuable insight into the importance of and the meaning behind individual forms of merit and recognition as denoted by a wide array of medals, pins, and ribbons displayed upon the many uniforms presented to the class. Additionally, students also learned the meaning and significance behind the ever-popular red poppy so often worn in observance of Veterans Day on November 11th.

The poppy, first introduced on Armistice Day in 1919, has long since been a means to show appreciation and respect for all those serving in all branches of the military services, including both the living and the dead in our own country as well as abroad. It--the poppy itself--was chosen as an enduring and constant reminder of this now well-established remembrance tradition following the end of World War I and was selected in part because of its ability lay dormant in the soil for years before then reappearing in massive numbers. This particular icon was also selected due to the fact that it commonly grows wild across many fields of Northern France and Belgium where some of the most devastating battles and heaviest loss of lives took place during World War I.

As part of our instruction, third-graders were also schooled on the meaning of each part of this nationally known and recognized emblem of sacrifice and hope. The red flower petals themselves stand for the blood of all those who gave their lives. The black center represents the mourning of those whose loved ones did not return home, and the green leaf is meant to remind us of growing grass and crops and future prosperity after the massive destruction incurred during the war.

Additionally students also learned on one of the many popular ways to wear this iconic symbol. According to our guests, the leaf is to be positioned at 11 o'clock so as to represent the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month--the exact time that World War I formally ended.