Many schools across the Cobb County School District have long-standing traditions of hosting celebrations in honor of Veterans Day.

Some of the military veterans travel from other states to attend the Cobb events. Many wear their uniforms for the parades through the school halls, where students line up with signs and flags as a tribute to the men and women who took an oath to serve. The veterans assembled span the years and generations from a mom who just returned from Afghanistan to a great-grandpa who served in WWII.

This year may be different. The soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors may not join together for a school parade or sit in the cafeteria and listen to the school choir’s patriotic renditions. However, schools across the District decided to keep up the tradition of honoring veterans.

Schools like Tritt Elementary School planned virtual events. Students, parents, staff, grandma, grandpa, and veterans near and far can tune in to watch Tritt’s virtual Veterans Day celebration on November 11. 

The virtual tribute includes a lesson about the American Flag, the national anthem sung by Tritt teachers, an interactive rhythm poem, and a patriotic sing-along. There is also a guest speaker, Commander Mauricio Posado.

Continuing the school’s tradition, school staff created a slideshow showing a compilation of students’ military family and friends.

“Planning school events, in the time of a global pandemic, required a bit of rethinking and reimagining of some long-standing school traditions. When it became clear we would not be able to welcome our community of veterans to school this year, our students and staff collaborated to create a virtual celebration in their honor,” said Tritt Principal Karen Carstens. “We worked to create a video that would keep our youngest students to our oldest students engaged in learning more about this special holiday. It is my privilege and honor to celebrate America’s veterans and their families for their patriotism, sacrifices, and willingness to serve. Thank you, veterans!”

Veterans Day celebrations also took place at other schools, including Due West Elementary School, Davis Elementary School, Ford Elementary School, Kemp Elementary School, Mt. Bethel Elementary School, Pickett's Mill Elementary School, Smyrna Elementary School, Rocky Mount Elementary School, and others. Schools encouraged students to wear red, white, and blue on Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day, which takes place on Wednesday when schools are closed for deep cleaning. 

Rocky Mount students worked for weeks on a musical tribute for the veterans. 

Teachers at some schools, like King Springs Elementary School, invited veterans to talk to students virtually. Some schools did not have to look far for a guest speaker. The Cobb Schools team includes many military veterans who not only serve their country but the students they help succeed every day.

Join our schools and thank a veteran for their service.