School honors veterans

Monroe Intermediate School's tradition of honoring Veterans Day continued Friday with students from the school performing for area veterans at Lincoln Middle School.

The annual program, which took place in its 25th year, featured students singing patriotic songs and speaking about veterans' importance. Veterans in attendance enjoyed the show, appreciating the program.

"I think it's totally awesome," Charles W. Reynolds, a Vietnam veteran, said.

Reynolds said programs like the yearly MIS help recognize veterans' sacrifices. Reynolds said a lot of veterans need help and urged residents to help veterans and the families of active servicemen who are still overseas.

For Jill Carpenter, who teaches music at MIS, the importance of the day is quickly seen in how hard her students work. One of the major points Carpenter and other MIS teachers instill in the students participating is the program, as well as signs posted along Monroe Avenue and Uinta Drive are a community service for the city.

Carpenter headed up the morning choir group, which performed a number of songs during the program. The songs they performed, including "America the Beautiful," "The Lights of Freedom" and "American Tears" were selected due to their topical nature and were voted on by the students themselves. While the choir regularly practices before school, Carpenter said they also had to conduct a few evening rehearsals to prepare for their program.

"They're some of the hardest working kids at the school," she said.

Monroe's principal, Anne Marie Covey, said the students have gained a sense of appreciation, respect and honor for the service people in the armed forces give to the country. Vice principal Jennifer Duran believes the work the students put into the program also gives them an appreciation for service outside of combat as well.

"They realize the military is not just for wartime, that people serving during peacetime deserve gratitude.