Honor Flight fundraiser raises student awareness of veterans

The Columbia Public Schools recently participated in a friendly competition with Jefferson City Public Schools to raise a minimum of 50 cents per student by Veteran’s Day to support the Central Missouri Honor Flight Program.
Columbia Public Schools raised nearly $22,000, exceeding our goal by more than $13,000. But more importantly, the districtwide campaign was a wonderful way to raise student awareness of Veteran’s Day and the meaning of honoring our heroes.
The funds raised by Columbia’s students and faculty will pay for more than 70 World War II veterans to be able to travel to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Columbia and Jefferson City together raised more than $30,000. That will allow for more than 100 veterans, two full flights, to make the trip to the memorial.

Time is running out

It is estimated that we are losing 1,000 World War II veterans each day; 20 each day in Missouri. Time is running out to honor these heroes with a trip to the memorial. So far, nearly 900 veterans have been able to take the flight to see their memorial, and Honor Flight recently completed its 17th trip. The flight provides for nursing staff and accommodations for those with special needs to participate in this memorable experience. Additionally, the experience is made even more memorable with a heartfelt send off, welcome home and mail call on the return flight.
In December, I will join students from Columbia and Jefferson City at the annual Honor Ball to say thank you and share our fundraising results with active-duty military personnel, veterans and community members. I am so proud to be able to be a part of that event.
Over the several weeks of our fundraising activities, I received many comments from faculty members about a parent, grandparent or loved one who had served in World War II. Other comments focused on the value of giving a district focus to all of our veterans and current men and women in the military. In short, the campaign ignited a sense of patriotism and national pride. I am so thankful the superintendent of Jefferson City Public Schools, Brian Mitchell, challenged us to support our veterans.

Lessons in patriotism

The district’s social studies curriculum begins with teaching about patriotism in kindergarten by teaching students how the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance represent the United States. By fourth grade students are learning Missouri history, geography and government. The American Revolution is taught in fifth grade. All other major wars and conflicts are taught throughout the remainder of the K-12 time frame.
I often worry that, although we have a comprehensive curriculum regarding our nation’s military history and function, students may not connect with the human story and the emotional understanding of the conflicts. I had an opportunity in November to visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The new Tom Hanks 4-D documentary “Beyond All Boundaries” had just been released. The one-hour experience was successful in linking the essential historical information in the context of the human tragedy of the loss of more than 65,000,000 lives. Furthermore, the lessons of past tyrants to current world conditions could not be missed.  I wish every student in Columbia could have this experience.
The holiday season is a time when we focus on giving to others. Our young people need to have opportunities that allow them to experience the value of giving. It often gets lost in the materialism that surrounds this season. The sacrifices of our military personnel have provided the gift of freedom.  Columbia Public Schools is honored to provide a gift of thanks and gratitude for their sacrifices by supporting the Honor Flight.
To learn more about the Central Missouri Honor Flight visit http://www.centralmissourihonorflight.com.