A trio of PTA parents at Spring Forest Middle School (SFMS) teamed up to maintain the school’s 20-year tradition of honoring military personnel in the community on Veterans Day — with a few new twists.
This year, PTA President Gina Keith, First Vice President of Community Activities Kristen Carlson and Veterans Day Chair Cliff Nickel planned Veterans Day appreciations that echoed celebrations from the school’s past, since in-person festivities are not possible due to COVID-19.
A little history about a big event
Last year, the event at Don Coleman Coliseum included breakfast and a program where 1000 SFMS students and staff thanked and applauded more than 100 area veterans for their service.
A school fund-raising donation of $6,000 to Patriot Paws, a service-dog group, was also presented during the 2019 ceremony. The funds helped provide a service dog, named Luna, for a veteran.
“I am so proud of being part of the Bobcat family and the traditions that have been started and maintained for so many years,” said Keith.
2020 Adaptations
This year, a photo of Luna with “her person” is on a Veterans Day card mailed to 250 area veterans with greetings and appreciation from SFMS. With the cards, the veterans also received breakfast sandwich gift cards from the Memorial and Dairy Ashford Chick-fil-A and patriotic SFMS masks.
Principal Curtis George said, “At SFMS, we want our community veterans to know we honor them and are thankful for their service to our country. While we won’t be able to gather in person, we hope our small gift allows us to stay connected until we can celebrate together again.”
On Veterans Day, students at SFMS will watch a video created by their peers in Faralyn Rasberry's broadcast journalism class. T
In addition, yard signs with words of thanks placed near the school’s marquee on Memorial Drive will let passersby know SFMS students and staff have veterans in their thoughts.
PTA President Keith added, “Middle school kids are at an age where they can take a lot for granted and also get stuck in their own bubbles. We want them to see the big picture and the many sacrifices made [by veterans] for them to live the lives that they do.”
Another way to continue a tradition
Students, families and area businesses are encouraged to continue the SFMS tradition of donating to Patriot Paws to fund future service dogs. If you would like to contribute, please go to this website, https://patriotpaws.org/.
Masks and physical distancing can’t diminish the pride we have for area veterans. SFMS, and all of SBISD, salutes you!
Submitted by Becky Wuerth, SBISD Communications
becky.wuerth@springbranchisd.com
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