This year’s Veterans Day ceremony was special for the staff and students at Freedom Elementary School in East Manatee County. It’s the 10th anniversary of the “Let Freedom Ring” event.
The entire school community including parents, first responders and veterans joined students and staff to mark the occasion. Principal Guy Grimes and Assistant Principal Carla Fox led the program, which was both patriotic and heartfelt.
Each year, one flag by a student artist is chosen to fly on one of Freedom Elementary’s flag pole year-round. The fifth-grade class proudly sang one last song as a tribute to the school that they will be leaving.
After the morning fog burned off, everyone went out to the school’s courtyard to continue the ceremony. Each and every student wore their patriotic red, white and blue attire.
The Veterans were escorted by students to the flag poles, while a teen from Lakewood Ranch High School played the bagpipes. That student, Brandon Cox, once attended Freedom Elementary School himself.
The flags for every branch of military service were raised – along with the American flag – at half-mast for the first time in the school’s history. The order was made by the President to honor the victims of the Sutherland Springs, Texas tragedy.
Students from the entire school then performed a patriotic tribute to Veterans under the direction of Music Teacher, Elizabeth Kimbrell. It was quite a sight to see all of the children waving the American flags proudly in the air!
Lastly, representatives from each grade level rang the school bell. Another yearly tradition in the history books for Freedom Elementary School, a proud family who embraces all of the Veterans in our community.
#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.
