Veterans Day Assembly
From an email I just sent to friends and family – CLICK FOR VIDEO of Sam playing the Star Spangled Banner.
This seems to have become a tradition – Sam played the Star Spangled Banner last year in front of the whole school as a first-grader, and our friend Matt Martinez (SGT!) delivered remarks about being a veteran. That was a huge deal for all of us – we never anticipated Sam would be invited to do that and nail it without any warm-up in advance, and Matt nailed his remarks like a pro. This year Sam was invited back, and chose to play his electric guitar. We had quite a discussion about how much distortion would be respectful, eventually deciding on the beautiful sound of “Brit Combo” on his portable amp. We did a sound check and practice yesterday. Some kids were walking by upstairs on the catwalk and stopped, knelt down, and watched for a few minutes. Sam saw the movement out of the corner of his eye, looked up and watched them, never missing a beat! In fact, he knows just where in the song he can scratch his nose while playing.
So today, Ben carried the amp, Sam carried the guitar, and I carried notes for remarks I was invited to make about a gift of a very large 600 sq ft garrison flag, donated by a Veterans Cemetery to the school. Long story there, over a year in the making, but a neat one. So I connected the story of Francis Scott Key to the garrison flag he saw flying over Ft McHenry and the large flag donated to the school. The sun shone brightly and Ben’s two flags fluttered stridently in the breeze as we marched to school. I have to tell you, there is nothing cooler than walking with a big electric guitar slung over your shoulder. Wow, am I lucky to have these cool boys who get me into all kinds of things. And lucky to have a principal at the school who welcomes interesting gifts.
My hand shook less this year making the video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Our love to each of you, and special thanks to the Veterans in our circle of friends and family. Your sacrifice is part of a long tradition. At least you are not camped in Valley Forge, but I bet my dad in NJ feels a bit like it! He just got power back after 8 days of camping, only to have all kinds of things happen to his equipment. Not fun. Our thoughts are with you, Dad 🙂
With deep appreciation to you guys and all the vets in our circles – praises to a richly providing God to us all as there are so many others who are struggling with much more than just “camping” out. So far power is back, tree limbs are gathered into hugh piles, life is starting to stabilize. Looking foorward to seeing the video too. Love to all there –
Grandpa Pops and Grammie Marilou
We are so happy to see you continue your tradition boys! We are also so thankful for so many in our family who are serving and who have served in generations past. Some are still with us, like my dad who served in the Coast Guard in WWII, my uncle Ig in the Navy during WWII. They are both still with us. Then there are many 2nd cousins STILL serving proudly in different branches. I am proud of ALL of them. Love you all.