Ridgewood Middle School celebrates Veterans Day
WEST LAFAYETTE – Loretta Sharier said her 10-year-old twins are very proud of their Aunt Liz.
Cecil and Casey Sharier invited their Great-Aunt Liz Herrell who served in the U.S. Air Force, to Ridgewood Middle School’s first Veterans Day Ceremony.
“We’ve always gone to the high school for Veterans Day, but I really wanted our social studies department to own this celebration,” said Trista Claxon, Ridgewood Middle School’s principal. “They planned along with our other teachers lessons for the last week and a half to teach the students about veterans, the home front and even what the Poppy means. It was neat to see everyone get excited.”
The students finished up their lessons by inviting special veterans in their lives to have breakfast with them on Veterans Day Nov. 11 and then enjoy a presentation on Rosie the Riveter and her role in World War II.
Rosie was portrayed by Alice Hoover, who does interpretations of several different characters.
“I think this is an important part of American History for young people to hear about,” Hoover said. “Our country united to win that war (World War II) with our men going overseas and our women working on the home front.”
She explained to the students and their guests that factories all across America stopped production of their normal products during World War II to make items to support the war effort. However, with men going overseas to fight, factories were quickly running out of employees.
“Married women were expected to stay home and raise their children, but America needed more workers so women started being recruited,” Hoover said.
One tool that was used to help encourage women to work in factories was the creation of Rosie the Riveter.
“She wasn’t a real woman, but a character who stood for millions of women,” Hoover said. “She was used to help encourage women to make history by working for victory.”
Herrell was glad her nephews invited her to be part of this special day at Ridgewood Middle School.
“I was deeply honored,” she said.
The program also included the presentation of the flag by Ridgewood Middle School Boy Scouts and a few brief remarks by Alex Mullen, who teaches fifth grade social studies.
“We are gathered here today to pay respect to the men and women who gave their time, talents and sometimes blood to preserve our rights as American citizens,” he said. “We thank all of you for your service.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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