Freedom Elementary School in East Manatee lets freedom ring with schoolwide ceremony honoring veterans

EAST MANATEE -- One by one, the flags slowly went up in the courtyard of Freedom Elementary School as bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" in the background. Rippling in the wind, the flags honored those who have served in the armed forces.

First, the American flag. Then, a flag for each of the branches of the armed services, with a veteran of that branch being assisted in the flag raising by two students. Finally, a flag created by fifth-grade student Alix Warren as part of an annual contest at the school. Alix's flag honored veterans of the armed forces and those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, a day Alix said people should never forget.

"I am thankful and honored to raise my flag today for my heroes," Alix said.

Freedom held its seventh annual "Let Freedom Ring" flag-raising ceremony on Thursday morning, which included student speeches, student choirs, bagpipes, bell-ringing, flag-raising and a tour of the patriotic student-created artwork. Each year, students anxiously await the event, said assistant principal Laura Campbell.

When they see veterans out and about in the community they come back to school and call them "our veterans," Principal Jim Mennes said.

"This is a special day where we give our past and present first-responders and our United States veterans the honor they all deserve," Mennes said.

A junior color guard of elementary school students presented the flags, sang a medley of songs honoring the different armed forces and showed their support by holding a drive to help raise supplies for those who are serving the country overseas.

"We collect these supplies to help make life a little easier to the brave soldiers deployed overseas helping to keep us safe," Mennes said.

Madison Hadawi, a 10-year-old fifth-grade student, presented the history of Veterans Day, originally named Armistice Day, to honor servicemen in World War I.

"Veterans are part of making this country a safe place to live," Madison said.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Freedom Elementary School in East Manatee lets freedom ring with schoolwide ceremony honoring veterans ."