City schools mark Veterans Day with music, flag displays

LACONIA — Amy veteran Robert Velotti was among a group of military veterans honored in a Veterans Day ceremony at Elm Street School Monday morning, where fourth grade students also sang patriotic songs and military anthems.

“I thank the school for doing this for all the veterans,” said Velotti. “It’s good to let the students know there is nothing wrong with being proud of their nation, and come together as friends, all under this one nation under God. Seeing the men and women who served to protect this nation, and help others around the world, it gives the kids a good lesson.”

Velotti, the grandfather of Elm Street student Lyla Wenger, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969, to serve in the Vietnam War. He was sent to Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division, and was in the First Signal Battalion at Camp Eagle, working with radioteletype. He went out to fire support bases, where he was involved in radio relay until 1971.

While he's a non-combat veteran, he knows soldiers who were, and those who died for their country.

“By the grace of God, I made it home, and I was proud to serve,” Velotti said.

The Elm Street School assembly was organized by Media Specialist Toni Manning and Music Instructor Sam Fortier. Paraprofessional Donna Schlenker also lent her musical talents on the guitar during songs like “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” and “This Land is Your Land.” “Taps” was also performed on trumpet by Fortier and fifth graders Ava Millen and Danielle Clark.

Fortier led a choir of fourth graders who sang the anthems of the Navy, Coast Guard, Army and Air Force. Students then spoke from the audience about patriotism and love for their country.

Principal Eric Johnson stressed the importance of recognizing service members, noting there were veterans from many wars and conflicts present for the assembly among their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He said this year was one of the largest groups in recent memory, and it is important for them to be honored, even during a 30-minute assembly.

“My dad served, so did my grandfathers and uncles,” Johnson said. “I have a nephew who just got out of the Marine Corps, and the sacrifices that these guys make is just something else. To me, it is so important that we don’t lose that tradition of honoring people worthy of honor. They gave their time, and some of them gave their lives, and they are worthy of an assembly of thanking them.”

Johnson said he's amazed by the camaraderie among those in the military. Velotti agreed, and it still hits him when he hears the songs. He gets a spark of pride, and also relief he was able to come home and continue his life. He commiserates with all soldiers who have been in wars and conflict, ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day.

“I am proud that I served, and I do enjoy meeting the other veterans,” Velotti said.

Johnson said it's especially important for young students to be educated.

“As the years go on, the second World War, those gentlemen are passing away,” Johnson said. “For Vietnam, they’re 70s or older now. It is so important that we remember them, both those who served, and those who came back.”

Johnson said they also remind students Veterans Day is to honor all who have served, while Memorial Day is for those who died.

“We do try to give a little bit of a lesson to teach the difference,” Johnson said.

After the students sang Woody Guthrie’s patriotic folk song “This Land is Your Land,” the group of veterans lined the hallway, providing a chance for students to shake their hands and thank them for their service.

One veteran was Ronald Cote, who served in the U.S. Navy, 1961-65, in interior communications. He was greeted by his great-granddaughter Camryn in the hallway, as other children shook his hand as they walked by. Cote, who has other great-grandchildren, has been to at least four assemblies at Elm Street. He was proud to be honored, and hopes these kinds of ceremonies leave a mark on the youth in the room.

“I hope this instills a little bit of civic duty,” Cote said.

Each school in the district honored veterans leading up to Veterans Day in their own way. Similar events were held at Woodland Heights and Pleasant Street schools, and Laconia Middle School put together a slideshow tribute to veterans in the community.

For the past two years, Laconia High School students raised money for Disabled American Veterans, an organization that supports veterans when they come home, including assisting them with accessing benefits, finding employment, and legislative advocacy.

Last year, students raised $1,380 raised through Maggie Roberts’ social studies class, and this year, Roberts led the LHS Youth and Government Club’s endeavor in raising $1,010. Flags from both years, totaling 220, were placed on school front lawn.

Roberts said donations help the students be part of taking care of veterans who put their lives on the line for freedom. She said DAV provides important support and services for “cherished veterans.”

“It's easy for us to forget how special our veterans are, and how important their willingness to serve our country is,” Roberts said. “We hope these flags serve as a reminder for all of us to never take our country, or the men and women who serve it, for granted.”