Variety of programs planned to honor local veterans

Veterans Day will not go unnoticed in the Brandon, Valley Springs and Sioux Falls communities. A plethora of school and military-organized programs are planned for all three communities this Thursday and Friday.

Brandon Elementary

The Brandon Elementary program is set for 1:30 p.m. and will feature musical numbers, readings and Three Rivers VFW Post 131 will provide the colors

Brandon Valley Intermediate School

The Veterans Day program at Brandon Valley Intermediate School will serve two purposes, according to Principal Nick Skibsted.

“My goal is to honor our veterans, but also provide a learning experience for our students to understand the sacrifices people have made for our freedom as well as the possibilities that the military has to offer for citizens of the United States,” he said.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m. that will include presentation of the colors, performance of the “National Anthem” by the sixth-grade chorus, patriotic numbers by the BVIS orchestra and band, and guest speakers. 

Fred Assam Elementary

With 42 students at Fred Assam Elementary that hail from military families, Veterans Day will be in the forefront at Thursday’s 8:30 a.m. program.

“We designed our program to recognize veterans, and especially those with students in our building. Some of these parents are currently on activity duty; most are not,” said FAE principal Susan Foster.

Sisters, Kyndle and McKinley Paquette, a seventh and eighth grader, respectively, will speak on growing up in a military family.

In addition, students will recognize veterans by reading an A-Z Military Alphabet and performing musical numbers. The color guard will also take part.

Inspiration Elementary

The program at the newest of the five elementaries within the BV School District will host a program at 8:30 a.m. and largely will be led by the student council members of IES. Scout Troop #212 will present and retire the colors.

A number of patriotic musical numbers will be performed by the students, including the “Armed Forces Medley” that will recognize each branch of the military and the veterans who are in attendance.

Robert Bennis Elementary

Veterans will receive the “red carpet” treatment at Robert Bennis Elementary on Thursday.

RBE students who are bringing a veteran to the program will have the opportunity to walk their honored guest down the red carpet to their chair, RBE music teacher Jeff Fode said.

The 9 a.m. program will feature students in grades 1-4, who will perform several musical numbers and narrate the program.

Valley Springs

Elementary

Those who attend the Veterans Day program, which is set for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Valley Springs Elementary, will be treated to a Readers’ Theatre by fourth graders, a slideshow of family veterans and military personnel related to VSE students, musical numbers, poetry and a skit, “The Missing Man Table.” 

Valley Springs Veterans Day Dinner

The Charles R. Doman American Legion Post 131 in Valley Springs will host a dinner and program on Friday, Nov. 11. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the program is at 7 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children 11 years old and younger.