'But they are all free'

MINOOK – Fourth grade student Grace Wieck sat at a table with a smile ear to ear as she donned the United States Navy cap of her grandfather Keith Becker and sat next to her great-grandfather Marvin Becker in his Army gear.

“I think it’s important to honor our country. They served our country and sacrificed themselves for us. And, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here,” Wieck said.

On Nov. 9, Aux Sable Elementary School in Minooka honored veterans either related to, or friends of students of the school in an assembly. The morning began with breakfast and then the students who had a veteran in attendance were allowed to meet up with the veteran and family or friends in the cafeteria in order to take photos and allow one-on-one time to visit.

“I didn’t come here for a thank you, I came here for my granddaughter, because she asked,” Marine veteran Terry Logan said of his granddaughter Quinn Bowden. “This event is educational for them-to honor the people who served and people we lost so they can live the way they live right now. Some may have a good life, some may have a bad life, but they are all free,” Logan said.

All of the seven schools within the Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 hosted one type of veteran thank you whether a full assembly with veterans, slide shows and speakers, or walls of photos and thank you letters written to the veteran.

“There might not be a more recognizable symbol of community than its public schools, so Minooka 201 is honored to be able to do our part in celebrating the service and sacrifices of these heroes and their families,” Minooka 201 Superintendent Kris Monn said. “Seeing the emotions and joy of our veterans, their families and our students truly inspires and reminds us all of why we do what we do.”

Aux Sable welcomed 62 veterans for its assembly that began at 9:30 a.m. with the announcement of each veteran and escort. Those honored sat together as each grade level and parents surrounded them in the gymnasium stands. Principal Ciara Manno welcomed the veterans.

“We stand in the midst of patriots and family and friends of those who have nobly served. Service members and veterans who are here today, on behalf of the students and staff of Aux Sable Elementary School, I’d like to thank you,” Manno said. “You have made our armed forces the most respected in the world.”

Each grade had a performance of a musical peice, from “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Yankee Doodle,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and a mix of several songs sung by the second grade students, all under the direction of music teacher Daniel Ewen.

Guest speaker Cpl. David Hurwich of the United States Marine Corp just finished a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan in May and came to speak to the students about his life as a Marine and how the school’s core values AUX - accountability, understanding and excellence - remain important at school and in life as a Marine.

“I wanted to talk about why Veterans Day was important, the history of the day and what I’ve gone through,” Hurwich said. “It’s also important to build good habits, to show veterans appreciation, if they don’t learn it at a young age; they may not pick it up.”

Hurwich also enlisted the help of third grade teacher and veteran Michael Corey to demonstrate all of the gear he had to wear while he served. Piece by piece, Corey put on the gear while Hurwich explained in detail the purpose of each component.

The program ended with former principal Sam Martin reading the book, “Veterans Heroes in our Neighborhood,” a slide show of photos of all of the veterans in attendance and their service information and photo sessions with the veterans and families.