Patriot Day service conducted at school flagpole

COAL GROVE –– The students of Dawson-Bryant Elementary School gathered around the flagpole outside of the school Friday morning for a Patriot Day service to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Principal Angie LaFon gave opening remarks and some background on Patriot Day before the service began with a moment of silence.

Jake Stephens, a student at the school, followed by leading the Lord’s Prayer and then students Logan Molenda, Austin Harris, Ashton Smith, Braxton Slusher and Keegan Shultz led the saying of the National Anthem. “I think it’s important to teach our kids what it means to be a good citizen, a good American and have pride in our country,” LaFon said.

The service continued with the National Anthem, and students Owen Johnson, Sam Large, Megan Fields, Jenna Lucas, Kinsey Keeney, Olivia Kingery, Alvia Noel and Mariah Hitchcock read a patriotic poem.

The singing of God Bless the USA by students Addisyn Wood, Laura Hamm, Maddie McDaniel, Maddie Vanover, Bryleigh Hamilton, Carly Robinson, Caleb Huff and Lily Schneider and a closing by LaFon concluded the Patriot Day service.

Dawson-Bryant superintendent Steve Easterling was on hand to see the service and said he was very proud of all the students.

“They say the Pledge and sing the Star Spangled Banner every school day,” Dawson-Bryant superintendent Steve Easterling said. “But I think it’s important that they take this one day to remember 9/11. If they’re taught at an early age about patriotism, hopefully that will carry on with them through life.”