Veterans Day

Yesterday, many of the local schools held Veterans Day assemblies. As I knew would happen eventually, having kids in two different schools, the two schools we attend had their assemblies at the same time. Because Jacob was participating in the assembly at his school I had to tell Miss Kayla that I would not be coming to her assembly, she was not happy but she understood.

Jacob and the rest of his 3rd grade class gave a presentation about Veterans Day and why we celebrate it, and he was also asked to be part of the Color Guard along with all the other Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts in the 3rd grade. He was very excited to have the opportunity to do this at school. He got dressed for school in his Cub Scout uniform and rode the bus to school while Kelsie, Grandpa JR and I drove to the school and met him there.

I was very excited to go to the assembly and watch Jacob and all of his friends be part of the Color Guard. I was a proud mama with my camera in hand and I was just so excited to hear his part of the presentation and watch him do his part. That's all I was there for, that was the only thing on my mind.

This is a picture of Jacob and his classmates and fellow Cub Scouts before the assembly. Aren't they so cute!! We are very fortunate to be in a class that consist of mostly boys who happen to have a lot of things in common. This is a great group of boys.

Here, their teacher was lining them up and making sure that they all knew what they were suppose to do.

I love a man in Uniform!!

Here, Jacob is waiting his turn for his part of the presentation.

He said his part very well. He was afraid he would forget what he was suppose to say.

A strange thing happened during the assembly. I forgot that the ONLY reason I went was to watch my son take part and take some pictures. I forgot that the reason he was participating in this assembly was in honor of Veterans Day and all of the brave men and women who make our way of life possible for us. I was quickly reminded.

At the start of the assembly, before the color guard came in, they had the guests of honor all walk in. They were invited there by the children of the school, mothers, fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, aunts, uncles & friends. As they walked in we all stood and clapped. As they filed in some of them were overwhelmed and began to cry, then I started to get teary eyed. The school put on a wonderful assembly. The guests of honor all introduced themselves and the child who invited them there. It was very touching to hear each one of them speak. One of the grandfathers even presented his granddaughter with his Purple Heart, it was very moving. I instantly thought, why did I not ask Jacob's grandpa Ed and Uncle Nick to come as guests? Why did I not submit the photo of our dear friend Jeremiah who was killed in Iraq a month before his 21st birthday or Jacob's Great Grandpa Cox. I think it was because I was too busy being a proud mama and forgot to be a proud American Citizen.

The assembly continued with an invited young Marine telling his story. You have to remember this was a gym full of children grades K-5, and every one of them was completely respectful and captivated by our guest speaker. I was moved to tears, luckily I wasn't the only one. After the speaker, the children sang some beautiful patriotic songs as they played a slide show. The pictures and images in the slide show of both past and present Veterans and scenes of war completely touched me and reminded me of why I was there. It wasn't just to take pictures of my handsome son in his uniform, it was to honor ans respect all of the brave men and women who fight our our freedom and liberty. They closed the slide show singing Lee Greenwood's Proud to Be an American. That song gets me every time. I saw so many children and parents moved to tears. There was a feeling of American Pride and unity in the gym. It was awesome. I am thankful to have gone to that assembly and to be reminded of why I have the opportunity to have my some attend a public school and he a part of the Cub Scouts and worship religiously as we know is true. Next year I will remember why I am really attending the assembly and make sure to invite those that deserve to be honored for their service.

When the kids got home from school, we talked about the assembly and they both thought of them. Kayla said her assembly was so awesome. I wasn't there, but for a first grader to come home and say that, it must have been great. Jacob said to me, "Mom, that assembly made me want to be a Marine." I paused for a long time. I wasn't sure how to respond. As his mother I am thinking are you crazy!! No way!! As a proud American I am thinking, thank you. I just simply said, "Well talk about when you are older and if you still feel that way, we will talk about it some more."

Today at 11:00 Jacob made sure that we took 2 minutes to pause and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. It was a great lesson to me that this was something that he had learned and felt very strongly about. Again, back to being a proud mama.

Thank you to all the men and women who serve so bravely for our country.

Jeremiah W. Schmunk

1983-2004
Branch of Military:Army
Rank:Spc.
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry
Unit's Base: Moses Lake, Wash.
http://www.timeofremembrance.org/schmunk.aspx

Peanut Jelly & Butter

Like Father, like daughter.

Kevin's favorite and only meal as a child was good ol' PB&J.

This little apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, she just renamed it. It's not Peanut Butter and Jelly, it's Peanut JELLY & Butter. And she WILL let you know.


Anytime of day or night, this is her request. Only now, she wants to make it "my ownself".

Don't worry, it's just a butter knife. I think she licks more off of the butter knife than actually gets on the bread. Kevin says he has NEVER tasted a PB&J so good as when Kelsie makes them.

Holloween 2009 - Olson Style