C.E. Hanna students honor veterans

Nov. 10—OXFORD — A standing ovation and hearty round of applause greeted a group of veterans Thursday morning as they entered the gymnasium at C.E. Hanna Elementary School.

The ovation was from the school's students, many of whom are too young to fully appreciate the sacrifices of those who they were applauding.

But, they came willing to learn what they might not already know and cheer what they did know.

Once the veterans were seated, the student body pulled out all the ruffles and flourishes deserved by the heroes who had come to visit for this special Veteran's Day celebration.

The student group Jacket Sensations sang the national anthem and "America the Beautiful" to follow the Pledge of Allegiance.

Music continued to play a part as the traditional medley of Armed Forces songs played and loud applause was synchronized as each military branch was recognized and those who had served in those branches stood as their song was played.

"Today, we have gathered to celebrate and pay tribute to those who have served and protected our country," said CEH student Megan Thomas. "These brave men and women have sacrificed so much of their own lives in an effort to defend our country. We owe these people more than we could ever pay."

Thomas introduced a video featuring several of the school's students giving their reasons why a veteran should be described as a hero.

"They went through the worst things so we could have freedom," one of the students said.

Principal Brian MacRae introduced Sgt. Peter M. Caron Jr, who served in active duty with the Marines for ten years including a deployment to Iran in 2004. He currently serves in the Army Reserves.

Caron expressed appreciation to the students on behalf of all the veterans for the honors they had been shown.

"Veterans Day is important to me because I come from a family full of them," Caron said. "I can trace them all the way back to a Marine in World War I."

Caron said he never considered himself to be a "patriot."

"This was just something I always wanted to do — being with like-minded individuals who wanted to do something," he said.

Caron said his family moved around the world with his military father and lived in Russia and Japan.

"I got to experience different cultures which made me appreciate what we have here in America," he said.

"There are rights and freedoms we have that others don't."

Caron described "patriotism" as saying the Pledge of Allegiance and "studying the history of the world so we can see what is so special about our country."

He said 9/11 happened when he was in high school and he joined the Marine Corps along with several friends after graduation.

"The reason I wanted to join was not to go fight people," Caron said. "It was because I had friends who were going out there to do the same thing and I wanted to make sure they came home with me."

Staff Writer Brian Graves: 256-236-1551.