Gravette Upper Elementary, Middle School honor vets

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Members of the Gravette Middle School choir sing "Salute to the Armed Forces," a medley of songs honoring various branches of the military, at an assembly Friday morning, Nov. 9, in the competition gym. The patriotic program honoring veterans also featured a video salute prepared by the Builders Club.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Members of the Gravette Middle School choir sing "Salute to the Armed Forces," a medley of songs honoring various branches of the military, at an assembly Friday morning, Nov. 9, in the competition gym. The patriotic program honoring veterans also featured a video salute prepared by the Builders Club.

GRAVETTE -- Students at Gravette Upper Elementary School and Gravette Middle School combined for an assembly to honor area veterans Friday morning, Nov. 9. The assembly was held at 10 a.m. in the competition gym.

McKenna Frazier welcomed all who attended and recognized area veterans in the audience. The audience stood while McKenzie Elsea led the pledge of allegiance to the flag, and Keeley Elsea said a prayer to begin the program. Members of the Gravette Middle School band performed "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Fighting Falcon March" as a musical tribute to the veterans.

Carley Robinson introduced the Middle School choir, which sang "Salute to the Armed Forces," a medley of songs from the various branches of the military, followed by "My America," performed by the combined Upper Elementary and Middle School choirs. The choirs were under the direction of Kris Schoeppey, choir instructor. Rachel Galloway, a choir instructor, provided musical accompaniment on the piano.

Jennifer Archer, a middle school teacher, introduced the guest speaker, Josh Peacock. Peacock is a U.S. Navy veteran who spent eight years in the military. He enlisted in the Navy in 2004 and served with the Marine Corps infantry as a medic. He served at several posts in the United States before deploying to the Al Anbar Province in Iraq the summer of 2009, where he served for a year. He left the Navy in 2012 with the rank of Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 2nd Class and had earned the Fleet Marine Force warfare insignia.

Peacock told the students that the members of the military formed a brotherhood and focused on taking care of each other. He encouraged them to likewise treat their classmates, friends and family members with love and respect.

Following Peacock's talk, a video slideshow prepared by members of the Builders Club was presented. It displayed photos of many area veterans who are friends and family members of Gravette students and faculty. "Taps" was played at the conclusion of the slideshow.

Alisa Corke, a middle school teacher, thanked all veterans in attendance, saying "the sacrifice and work given by all veterans are greatly appreciated by Gravette schools," and concluded the program with prayer. The Middle School band played a final musical number.

Community on 11/14/2018