TEACHER FROM GARY ORGANIZES VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
POST-TRIBUNE
BY: JANIS MOORE

Denise Delaney of Gary is president of the American Legion Auxiliary at Post 279 on Old Hobart Road in Miller. She also teaches fifth grade at Evans Elementary School in Lake Station.

Six years ago, Delaney, as a new teacher at the school, started a Veterans Day program. She wanted to teach the children the meaning of this special day.

Several days before Veterans Day, Delaney sent a letter home with all students, asking if they had any family or friends who are veterans and if they would come to the school to be honored.

“The kids get so thrilled bringing guests,” Delaney said. “They write a short narrative about their guests, including name, relation to them, branch of service, rank, job they did, where stationed, and anything else the guest would like the students to remember about their time in the service.”

This year, eight guests attended. The program was dedicated to all soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Delaney made an American flag from construction paper; it took five hours to cut and place the stars and stripes. Each star honored a veteran. One gold star was for Greg Sanders of Hobart, one of the first Iraq casualties from Northwest Indiana. The eight blue stars now total 15 and denote those serving. The 50 red stars are for veterans of family or friends at the school.

“The kids at school watched me create the flag; they were eager to see my progress,” Delaney said.

During the program, Junior Girl Scout Troop 160 presented the colors and Brownie Troop 294 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience then sang the national anthem. Each guest received an American flag and a certificate of appreciation for their service in the armed forces.

Sgt. John Wrolen has been with the Gary Police Department for 35 years and is also commander of American Legion Post 100 in Lake Station. The Vietnam veteran was guest speaker, telling students why we celebrate Veterans Day and what a veteran is.

He told the students: “Today is a special day. Our soldiers have continued to defend the idea of democracy around the world. These brave men and women have put their lives on hold to protect you and me. Take the time to thank a veteran.”

History lesson

On Nov. 11, 1918, an armistice was signed, ending hostilities in World War I. (The war officially ended June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.) President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation in November 1919. In 1938, Congress declared Armistice Day a holiday. On May 24, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor American men and women who served in all wars.