Garden City’s Stewart School honors veterans through annual Veterans Day celebration

On Nov. 4, Garden City’s Stewart School honored local veterans through a meaningful Veterans Day celebration featuring a schoolwide assembly, classroom visits and a luncheon for veterans and their families.

The assembly opened with students welcoming the 21 veterans in attendance with a standing ovation as they entered the auditorium and took their seats on stage. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, students performed patriotic selections, including “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”

Principal Keri Hand welcomed the veterans, their families and the Stewart students and shared the importance of recognizing those who have served. Students and attendees also learned about each veteran through biographies highlighting their military service and lives after returning home. Each veteran had a connection to a current Stewart student or staff member.

The program continued with students reading letters of appreciation expressing their gratitude for the veterans’ service and sacrifice. To close the assembly, a slideshow displayed messages of thanks from each class, followed by the entire school joining together in singing “God Bless the U.S.A.” 

The celebration also recognized current and former members of the Stewart School community, including 99-year-old veteran Ed Muller. Mr. Muller served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947 before spending nearly 40 years teaching physical education at Stewart.

Following the assembly, veterans visited fifth grade classrooms, where they shared personal stories and answered students’ questions about their time in the military, memorable experiences and lessons learned through service. The day concluded with a luncheon in honor of the veterans and their families.

The celebration provided students with a meaningful opportunity to learn more about Veterans Day and express their appreciation for the veterans’ dedication and sacrifice.