Bellefontaine Middle School offered a salute to local veterans for their service and sacrifice this morning at the school, with a ceremony featuring a number of student groups and participants, including personal words of appreciation offered by pupils.
Local Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA participants presented colors to begin the ceremony.
Patriotic musical selections were performed by the BMS band, orchestra and choir, and following the playing of Taps, a moment of silence was offered in the school gymnasium.
A special presentation to the nearly 80 veterans in attendance was offered by the Logan Piecemakers — a gift of handmade Patriot Quilts. A story detailing the quilt project, along with other Veterans Day features, will appear in Saturday’s Examiner.
Breakfast was served for the veteran guests following the ceremony, with students invited to accompany their family members.
Several area schools have planned recognition ceremonies for local armedservice veterans in the days ahead.
In addition, The Harold Kerr American Legion Post 173 has also scheduled a veterans recognition ceremony for Saturday.
Upcoming veterans recognition assemblies include:
• Ninth annual Logan County Veteran Appreciation Day — Noon Saturday, Nov. 9, American Legion Harold Kerr Post 173, 120 Colton Ave., Bellefontaine, with lunch provided, all veterans and their families invited to attend; veterans and current military service personnel to be recognized, and challenge coins presented to all veterans; pinning recognizes Vietnam era veterans who served from Nov. 5, 1955, to May 15, 1975; direct questions to (937) 935-0696.
• Calvary Christian School Veterans Day concert — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 1140 Rush Avenue, Bellefontaine, performers include seventh- and eighth-grade choir, high school choir, jazz band and concert band;
• Riverside Schools— Monday, Nov. 11, 8 a.m. breakfast for veterans and guests, assembly immediately to follow; featured speaker: Scott Stewart from Logan County Vets to D.C., high school band slated to perform.
• Benjamin Logan High School — Monday, Nov. 11, breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by ceremony at 9 a.m.. all veterans are welcome to attend.