Friday morning was filled with pride and patriotism as Cypress Ridge Elementary School (CRES) students, faculty and staff hosted a Veterans’ Day ceremony.

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Student greeters welcomed local veterans and provided refreshments in the media center while the rest of the students assembled at the pavilion.  Scouts escorted veterans to the celebration location and presented colors.

Veterans enjoying refreshments before the celebration

Principal Voytko welcomed guests and introduced guest speaker Lt. Colonel Phillip Lee Kennerly. Lt. Colonel Kennerly provided an entertaining talk on the qualities valued in the military and in life:  Courage, Pride, Determination, Integrity (example: being honest), Selflessness and Dedication to Duty (example: cleaning your bedroom). He told students that Veterans Day began 100 years ago (November 11, 1918) at the end of WW1.  It was first called Armistice Day and the name changed to Veterans Day after WWII.

Clermont Middle School chorus sang and the band performed songs for each branch of service.

Veterans led by scouts

It was a wonderful, patriotic celebration