Students write poems in honor of veterans

The annual Meyersdale Area School District’s commemoration of Veterans Day included special music, presentations and a showcase of creativity and talent by a group of Meyersdale Area Elementary students.

This year, the elementary program and sing-along featured the efforts of four very talented students: Ella Ferris, Stefan Engle, Ashton Miller and Colton Yommer. These students wrote and presented special poems in honor of Veterans.

According to Amanda McNelly, the project was enthusiastically embraced by the students and she is thrilled with the heartfelt sentiments shared by all of the students. “Our Language Arts assignment was to write a Veterans Day couplet poem. The students were asked to follow all the rules of a couplet poem and add, at least, eight patriotic vocabulary terms to their writing. I was so pleased to see how excited they all got about this assignment,” she said.

All poems were reviewed and then voted on by fourth and fifth grade teachers to determine which poets would be featured during the program. McNelly said the assignment has quickly become a favorite of students and teachers alike.

Additionally, Sydney Romesburg and Bo Smith led the crowd in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank You, to the Red, White and Blue
By Ella Ferris

I just want to give a “Thank you”,
To those that fought for the red, white, and blue.

You show your heroism,
So we should show some patriotism.

When you are at war,
Everything feels so far.

In all of that gloom,
You hear the cannons boom.

So let us make a tribute,
And give you a big salute.

You are a Legend
By Stefan Engle

Look at all the faces,
Fighting in different places.

Fighting with dignity for our freedom,
We honor you for fighting for our kingdom.

We appreciate your bravery and fighting,
While you’re writing to family, in hiding.

Thank you for your service; you are a legend,
And our country you’ve strengthened.

Hearts to Save
By Ashton Miller

You have traveled from sea-to-sea,
Just to conquer problems, for you and me.

As you have traveled through many territories,
You can tell many amazing stories.

As you have seen the fate of your many brothers,
You just hope that won’t happen to others.

Thank you for all of the service you gave,
And thank you for having the hearts to save.

We Live in Your Glory
By Colton Yommer

As you stand, bright and legendary,
Our country you must carry.

You give us the assurance,
That we have our independence.

It is because of your bravery,
That we are home, safely.

You hold your ground, your territory,
So we can live in your glory.