PHOTOS: Pennridge students celebrate local veterans

Hundreds of 6th grade students in the Pennridge School District joined nearly 100 veterans on Monday, Nov. 11 for a special Veterans Day celebration at Pennridge High School.

From the most recent veterans to a 97-year-old WWII veteran, pride filled the air with many patriotic songs, while students from all the schools waved their flags with tons of American pride, said a Pennridge School District press release.

Now in its 36th year, this tradition, which celebrates local veterans from the Pennridge, Quakertown, and Palisades areas, rotates between the Pennridge School District, Quakertown Community School District and Palisades School District. Coordinated by the hosting district along with Commander and former state Rep. Paul Clymer and current state Rep. Craig Staats, the program includes several salutes to all branches of the military and all wars, conflicts and peacetime maneuvers for all service members, said the release.

    Pennridge students and faculty join local veterans for a Veterans Day assembly at Pennridge High School. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
  

    Hundreds of sixth grade students took part in the celebration. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
  

As a special feature this year, the district opened up the assembly to its own employees who have also served, including Superintendent Angelo Berrios III, a Marine veteran. Berrios explained why he was honored to host the event.

“I was deeply moved by the patriotism and esprit de corps captured during our Veterans Day ceremony,” said Berrios. “Our student performers were truly amazing, and I am indebted to every veteran in attendance, as well as to those who worked so diligently to bring this event to fruition.”

    Nearly 100 local veterans were in attendance, ranging from the most recent veterans to a 97-year-old WWII veteran. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
  

    The event is coordinated by the hosting district as well as Commander and former State Rep. Paul Clymer, pictured on the right. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
  

    Superintendent Angelo Berrios, a Marine veteran, speaks at the event. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
  

    Sixth grade students wave American flags during the assembly. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
  

“It was a delight to see the collaboration among the three Upper Bucks County schools — Palisades, Quakertown, and Pennridge — coming together with their students, teachers, administrators, and, most importantly, veterans from all three communities,” Berrios continued. “Special thanks go to Representative Staats — not only for his service as a veteran but also for his generous sponsorship of this event, continuing a longstanding tradition initiated by former Representative Paul Clymer. Their support reflects the commitment our community holds for honoring those who have served our nation.”

Also in attendance were several local veteran families. A large number were Vietnam veterans, who commented on how just the words “welcome home” to any veteran but especially Vietnam veterans still resonates and causes emotional reactions. An additional highlight was a Vietnam War Marine veteran who never had a chance to graduate from Palisades High School because he entered the draft. He was awarded his high school diploma by officials from the Palisades School District and then, in a special moment, was celebrated with fellow Marine veterans at the end of the assembly.

Following the assembly, the Pennridge Nutritional Services Department hosted a luncheon for all veterans and their families. A few hours later, with the help of Staats and state Rep. Shelby Labs, who donated hundreds of American flags to the school, all students from Pennridge’s Deibler Elementary School gathered to wave those flags and form the word “thanks” as a tribute to all veterans, said the release.