CHARLESTON — For over twenty years students from Charleston Elementary School, with the guidance of teacher Vicky O’Keefe and local historian Richard Colburn, have placed flags at the gravesites of military veterans for Memorial Day.
The practice continued on Wednesday.
In the past, the trip was for sixth-grade students only. They would listen to stories of their town from Colburn as well as do some research into local history and the people that made up the town.
In recent years the trip has changed to include fifth graders, as well as Maurice Cerutti.
Sixth graders are now responsible for sharing the stories as they remember them from the previous year and research that they have done. They have the opportunity to browse historical documents as well as visiting the local historical society and questioning Colburn.
The addition of Cerutti has broadened their knowledge as well. He has a binder full of the military stories behind almost all the veterans whose graves are marked with flags.
He also sang some of the songs that soldiers would have sung dating back to the Civil War.
“The trip not only provides kids with a sense of pride in their community, it gives them a sense of pride and respect for their country and the brave men and women we remember when observing Memorial Day,” said Eva Broome, a paraprofessional at Charleston Elementary School.
Newport City Elementary students put wreaths on the soldiers graves every Veterans Day with help from Robert Gosselin of Spates The Florist. Today at NCES John Wilson, the JROTC Color Guards from NCUHS and teacher did a formal Memorial Day presentation to the entire school about what Memorial Day is really about and what it really means. Students also skyped with Dana LaPlante who is currently serving this country and is deployed while his family still resides in Newport. The 6th grade class learned about what each fold of the American Flag is about and why it’s done as well as the adoption of the Poppy flower and its symbolism in the U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces. Many tears were shed and smiles were shared. Thank You to all those who have served, still serve and RIP to those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.