Veterans Day in Schools 2023
Get a glimpse of Veterans Day (Saturday, November 11) happenings throughout the school division as students paid tribute to our veterans. These photos and events capture the genuine appreciation and recognition of those who have served.
Armstrong Elementary School
The entire school had a hand (literally) in making the event a success. See the photo below for the red and white stripes made with cut-out traced hands of every student in the school.
Armstrong Elementary honored and celebrated families of veterans with a Veteran’s Day breakfast and celebration. With a donation from Wegmans (Reston), a breakfast complete with eggs, sausage, biscuits, fruits, coffee, and juice was served to more than 40 parents, grandparents, an uncle, and students. Sixth grade students greeted, and presented veterans with letters and talked with each one about what branch of service they were in and about their service. Kindergarten also joined in on the fun by singing a song and presenting the veterans with handmade paper medals. Other grade levels provided handmade thank you cards and decorations for the event.
Canterbury Woods Elementary School
Canterbury Woods Elementary had a breakfast on Friday, November 10, for their military families. Students in band and strings played music, including the music from each branch to honor all branches.
Centreville Elementary School
Centreville Elementary invited veterans who are connected to CES students to be guest readers in classrooms throughout the building. These veterans and families were also treated to a wonderful lunch provided by Mission BBQ, along with some musical accompaniment from band and orchestra students and staff.
We are thankful for our Assistant Principal Rachel Forte and Librarian Aubrey Thorne for the detailed planning and organizing of the event. It’s a fantastic tradition that Centreville Elementary is proud to hold each and every year.
Cherry Run Elementary School
Cherry Run Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day with heartfelt gratitude and a series of meaningful tributes to honor the military. The day began as students and families gathered in the cafeteria to enjoy doughnuts and coffee, fostering a sense of camaraderie and gratitude for the brave men and women who have served our nation. A poignant slideshow featuring images of veterans from the school community played on the screen, showcasing their service and sacrifice.
The atmosphere was filled with patriotic melodies as a talented US Air Force quartet played inspiring tunes, creating a solemn yet uplifting ambiance. To conclude the commemoration, the entire school participated in a moving clap-out, lining the hallways to express their appreciation for the veterans in attendance.
Chesterbrook Elementary School
Chesterbrook Elementary invited current military families and veterans to speak to classes throughout the day. They also partnered with Vinson Hall, a retirement community with a history of serving military families, to have eight of their veterans come to talk with their students. It was a lovely day, and Chesterbrook students truly enjoyed hearing from the speakers.
Clermont Elementary School
Clermont Elementary began the day with a breakfast to honor our veteran parents and active duty military families. The JROTC Cadets from Edison High School came over to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Veteran and active duty parents then went to all of our classrooms and talked about their time in the service with our students during Morning Meeting. Ernie the Eagle made an appearance too!
Colin Powell Elementary School
Over 100 current and former service members and their family members attended a Veterans Day celebration at Colin Powell Elementary School on Friday morning, November 10. Special guests spent time sharing stories with Student Council Association representatives during a reception, participating in a Veteran Parade for grades K-2, and being honored in song and student writings during a program for students in grades 3-6.
Fairhill Elementary School
Fairhill Elementary, twice recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as a Purple Star school, honored veterans in our community with a Veterans Day breakfast. Military-connected students and their veteran parents, grandparents and community members joined us as we honored Fairhill families for their service to our country. Our fifth- and sixth-grade chorus students boldly sang the Star Spangled Banner and the Armed Forces Medley. We were also honored to have guest speakers Maria Taylor, Lt Col, USAF and her husband, Colonel Terence Taylor, Base Commander of Al Dhafra, United Arab Emirates (UAE), who joined us virtually from the UAE.
Fairview Elementary School
Fairview Elementary started the day with breakfast honoring all our Veterans and the fourth graders sang patriotic songs. Parents and grandparents who are veterans were invited to speak in their child’s class. The day ended with an assembly, featuring Major General Annibale as our guest speaker. He brought Marines and Naval Officers from his staff, and the Marine Corps mascot--“Chesty XVI.” It was a great day!
Fort Belvoir Primary School
Fort Belvoir Primary School created a video highlighting families in the armed forces.
In the photo below, Dr. Jemison (principal, Fort Belvoir Primary School) and Mrs. Laxton (principal, Fort Belvoir Upper School) attended the Fort Belvoir Memorial.
Students exercised and conquered the obstacle course to understand the physical demands of soldiering.
Fort Hunt Elementary School
Fort Hunt Elementary had over 30 parents who are active duty and veterans join them on November 10. All branches of service were represented!
The PTA sponsored coffee and donuts in the library where the guests socialized during morning AM arrival. Then, students gathered in the gym and the veteran guests were welcomed in. Principal Caines said a few remarks, everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance, and the band played a few short, patriotic selections. Classes returned to their rooms/pods where the parent guest speakers shared their stories and answered questions.
Greenbriar West Elementary School
Island Creek Elementary School
Island Creek ES had a wonderful Veteran’s Day program on Friday, November 10, and it was well attended by their families. Their sixth-grade class used sign language to present the Star Spangled Banner.
Lemon Road Elementary School
Lemon Road Elementary's sixth grade chorus sang the national anthem at their Veterans Day breakfast where veterans were greeted by student ambassadors and then visited classes to speak with students about their experiences in the military and/or read books to classes.
Louise Archer Elementary School
Louise Archer Elementary created a bulletin board to honor veterans.
Lynbrook Elementary School
Lynbrook Elementary hosted their Thank A Veteran Day, which included a breakfast, classroom visits, reflection and networking, and lunch for all grades.
Navy Elementary School
Navy Elementary did a variety of things to recognize veterans. First, they hosted a breakfast for their veteran parents, staff, and their families. Then in the afternoon, they had a Veterans Day parade, where their veterans drove through school parking lots with classes cheering them along the way. Navy ES staff wrote thank you cards, which were given to each veteran that particpated in the parade.
Oakton Elementary School
Oakton High School
Oakton High School celebrated Veterans Day both November 9 and 10 through our U.S. History classes (mostly juniors). As a main event, we put together a panel of speakers so each veteran or active duty member could share stories and experiences with our students. Our goal is to both celebrate the experiences and sacrifices of veterans and active duty members and also to provide students the ability to better understand the military as a potential career option.
Orange Hunt Elementary School
Orange Hunt Elementary celebrated Veterans Day with music and multiple learning stations that included a boot camp and opportunities to learn about different types of jobs in the military.
Sangster Elementary School
Sangster Elementary School had a fifth- and sixth-grade chorus and bells students perform a military service melody. Military-connected parents were asked to join us for the ceremony. A parent from each branch of the military spoke about the what the flag represents and the meaning/history of Veterans Day. Sangster’s Student Ambassadors passed out homemade poppy pins to every adult to commemorate Remembrance Day which corresponded with our main bulletin board display.
Sangster Student Ambassadors created a “Thank You to Veterans” poster, which is on display at South Run Recreation Center. Every student colored an American flag thanking a member of their family or veterans, which was on display throughout the hallways – more than 800 of them. And Sangster teachers invited a military service member to speak to every classroom about military service and the importance of Veterans Day.
Silverbrook Elementary School
Watch the touching video recap of Silverbrook Elementary's Veterans Day remembrance , which includes a message from Superintendent Reid.
South County Middle School
South County Middle School hosted their Muffins with the Military event on Friday, November 10.
Sunrise Valley Elementary School
Sunrise Valley honored veterans and active duty personnel on Friday, November 10. The fifth- and sixth-grade chorus performed and a distinguished keynote speaker spoke to our students and guests about what being a veteran meant to him. A breakfast reception for honored guests was held at the conclusion of the assembly.
Wolftrap Elementary School
Wolftrap Elementary School hosted an assembly on Friday, November 10, and invited their community to participate. Sixth graders read original works of poetry and informational pieces during the assembly. Informational pieces and artwork are also posted on the school's front wall.
