Morley Elementary students remember veterans

4th graders Eden N. and Mina D

On Veteran's Day, students at Morley Elementary School celebrated the holiday with a special presentation to educate the students about the holiday's meaning.

Student listened to British Army Lieutenant Colonel Niall Stokoe, of the Royal Corps of Signals, speak, via Skype, about his experiences serving alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan. 

Lt.Colonel Niall Stokoe

Stokoe described the difficulties faced by children living in that war zone under the Taliban regime.
"It's the kind of job where you wake up every day and feel really proud about serving others and serving your country,"  said Stokoe, about his work in the military.

 The supplies sent by Morely last year had an important impact on students in the Khalaj School, in the southern part of the Helmand, Stokoe said. The joy in the children's faces was immense, said Stokoe, who added that Afghan children struggle just to get to school every day.  He reminded students never to take freedom for granted and to be thankful for those serving to preserve and share that freedom.

 
Principal Ellen Stokoe's husband, British Army Major Andrew Stokoe, also spoke. He pointed out the similarity between Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in Canada and the United Kingdom. He also shared the history of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for soldiers.

The assembly concluded with students singing "America, the Beautiful".