Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

Students, faculty and staff at South Fork Elementary and Middle Schools rolled out the red carpet to honor local veterans on Friday.

Kern Valley Sheriff’s Activities League Color Guard opened the program with the presentation of the colors. “They did great,” said Deputy Joe Garcia, Kern Valley’s SAL Coordinator. “I’m so proud of them. They were sharp!”

Sabine Mixon’s kindergarten class, front row, is joined by Shannon Damron’s 2nd grade class, back, in singing “God Bless America” to local veterans attending South Fork School’s salute to veterans Nov. 6.

“This is a true South Fork tradition,” said Principal/Superintendent Sherry Nichols, as she welcomed friends and family, as well as the honored guests.

“It’s pretty cool,”“ said Miko Tollefson, of Annette Thomey’s eighth grade class. “We sing to the veterans and put on this event each year to show our appreciation.”

John Ostroski, also a student in Thomey’s class remarked, “This is a good thing to do. Some of the veterans never had anyone say ‘Thank you’ to them, especially the Viet Nam war vets. It can be pretty emotional.”

Students shared what they’d been told by some of their teachers: “Some of the vets live alone and the ones that come out really appreciate our honoring them.”

As Thomey’s class waited for the program to begin, they rehearsed their recitation of the Declaration of Independence, one portion of their presentation. The group, including Tollefson and Ostroski, among others, Tiara Smith, Genesis Marshall, Shannon Flanigan, Tawnia Wallace, Sunnie Prior, Bethany Downing, and Desiree Washburn also sang a rousing rendition of God Bless the USA with Kristine Depew’s second grade class.

“It is hard with the budget cuts, hard to make choices,” said Smith, “but this (program) is a tradition at South Fork that everyone really appreciates.”

Nichols spoke about what she thinks motivates a person to volunteer to serve their country. “I think it’s love that carries us through and helps us face challenges – love of a wife, a child, your country, the flag. That’s what carries us through our most difficult challenges.”

At the conclusion of the program, flag-waving students formed two lines through which veterans walked and shook hands with teachers, students and staff. Cookies, muffins, coffee, punch and South Fork bus driver Dallas Duffield’s display of Viet Nam war memorabilia awaited the vets in the school cafeteria.