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South Jordan Journal

Students honor local active military, veterans

Nov 11, 2019 04:43PM ● By Julie Slama

Veterans are invited to attend South Jordan Middle School’s Veterans Day Salute on Nov. 11. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

By Julie Slama | [email protected]

At South Jordan Middle School, students will raise the flag on Veterans Day, taking time to remember those who served and are currently active in the military.

“We will have a flag-raising in commemoration of our veterans,” Principal Shawn McLeod said. “We welcome any veterans and active military to join us.”

This year, the Veterans’ Salute will be held at 7:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11 in the school’s kiva, 10245 South 2700 West.

The 15-minute program will include the choir singing the “Armed Forces Medley “and “God Bless America” in addition to the national anthem, directed by music teacher Shawn Kidd, who last year had his retired father in attendance wearing his Air Force uniform.

Those serving or who have served are invited to join and talk to the students at lunch, McLeod said.

“Through the years, we’ve invited active military personnel and veterans to join our students in the cafeteria or talk to their English and history classes,” he said. “We’ve had our students write them cards or send notes to the VA (veterans’ administration) hospital. Awhile back, we sent letters to a unit in Fullujah (a joint American, Iraqi and British offensive in late 2004), and they sent a flag back to the school. It’s an opportunity to thank them and for them to share with our students.”

South Jordan Middle is one of several schools in the area that hold Veterans Day ceremonies. 

At nearby Elk Ridge Middle School, Principal Curtis Jenson is taking a different approach. He is wanting his students to realize there are veterans among them, every day at the school.

“Our plan is to do a video tribute working with veterans in the building,” he said. “We plan to interview staff and have them talk about why we celebrate veterans and what it means to them personally.”

Jenson said staff members with a military background may share what inspired them to join, what their experience was, and also messages they may have for students.

The video then would be shown in every class at the school on Veterans Day as well as posted on the school website and social media.

Jenson hopes to create a three-year rotation for Veterans Day between a video, possibly a flag retirement (explaining its significance) and a ceremony.

This he said, will offer “something where the kids get a different experience each year that builds their overall understanding and appreciation for veterans.”