South Whittier’s Howard J. McKibben Elementary School held their Patriotic Assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 8, to honor veterans and share about the history behind Veteran’s Day.
The ceremony was orchestrated by the third grade class who performed in the assembly. The assembly included the pledge of allegiance, honored each branch of the military, had students share the history behind why Veteran’s Day is celebrated, and led everyone in the song ‘God Bless America’.
At the very end of the ceremony they invited veterans and service men and women who are currently serving in the US military to come up so that they could honor them and give them a gift of an American flag. One veteran, who was the grandfather of one of the third graders who performed, was in attendance. He shared that he was a Sargent in the US Army.
McKibben has been hosting Patriotic Assemblies since the early 1990’s. The assembly themes are patriotic day, presidents day, earth day, memorial day, Cesar Chavez Day, and MLK day.
When principal, Sandra Gallegos, began at the school site she surveyed the staff about things that they enjoyed and would like continue and things they would like to end. The staff unanimously voted to keep Patriotic Assemblies as a McKibben staple.
“The staff feel the Patriotic assemblies address cultural awareness and community involvement,” Principal Gallegos stated. “The students are proud of their presentations and it brings the school community together.”