Thank You Veterans!!!!

Teaching students to be thankful for the men who fight for our country began with a lesson from World War II veteran, Richard Acker. "Ack" drove a tank during World War II. He shared his memories with the 8th grade Literature students. They then used his words to draft a narrative written in the third person that reflected Dick's wartime experience.

Next the students interviewed a veteran from a war. Then they drafted, edited and revised a narrative story from that interview that they published with pictures; the book was bound and will be shared with their peers.

Finally, on the day before Veteran's Day, a Vietnam Veteran, Roy Wiegand, taught the 8th graders what it means to have your life changed by serving your country. Roy spoke about the contrast of his youthful days in the farming community of Congerville with arriving as a young adult in the conflict of Vietnam. Roy shared the history and the politics of that time period which framed the conflict of Vietnam.

Using narrative episodes, he wove a mesmerizing story of friendship that evolves between soldiers. Roy shared the heartening and the hateful stories of war. After he finished sharing his story, he asked for questions. The questions from the 8th graders revealed that they had indeed learned what war is and what a veteran means to our country.

Thank you to Roy Wiegand and Richard Acker and all the other veterans who have served our country so well that we are able to take November 11 and remember their actions.