Veterans Recognized at Saucon Valley Elementary School Assembly

About 130 proud U.S. veterans who have children or grandhildren who attend Saucon Valley Elementary School were recognized before and during a Veterans Day assembly that was held at the school Friday.

The annual event organized by Lynn Beller and Sue Meier of the school’s PTO began with a hot buffet luncheon in the cafeteria by Brooklyn’s Catering, and provided courtesy of Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman.

At the assembly students with a parent or a grandparent who served sat with them on the gym floor as each grade sang the anthem of a branch of the United States Armed Forces. Before the song the veterans who served in that branch stood and were recognized with applause.

Hundreds of children waved handmade paper flags and wore red, white and blue for the assembly. A number of children also read poems they had written for the occasion.

Friday also was the elementary school’s “Day of Change,” when students were asked to bring in loose change to donate to Operation Homefront, an organization that provides housing and food to homeless veterans and veterans in need in the Berks County area.

Two representatives from Operation Homefront were on hand for the assembly, during which Heintzelman said he and his family will match up to $500 in donations collected by the students.

A cash-for-candy drive will also benefit Operation Homefront, which will receive the money raised from a collection of leftover Halloween candy that is ongoing at the school.

Spark Orthodontics in Bethlehem will ship the candy that is collected to U.S. service members.

The Hellertown American Legion Edward H. Ackerman Post 397 honor guard also participated in the assembly, which helped students learn about Veterans Day and what it means to serve your country.

Photos by Chris Christian