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| Winners, Alexander Potter, Sam Williams with Willie Goodman |
Community members and veteran came out to celebrate
Veterans Day on Sunday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Windham Veterans Center,
35 Memorial Drive. The open house and ceremony not only included honoring our
veterans but also included the official announcements of the student Patriot’s
Pen essay as well as the Voice of Democracy themed audio essay awards along
with a teacher of the year recognition.
Commander Willie Goodman of the Windham Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW) Post began Sunday’s celebration by welcoming all present and
providing a background history of Veterans Day.
Goodman stated that Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day
on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Additionally,
congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11
became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day
pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives
thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or
peacetime.”
VFW Chaplain Roger Timmons gave the invocation. This was
followed by Past Commander, Bob Akins who shared thought provoking insights on
the Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy and Teacher of the Year programs.
Commander Goodman then announced the winners of the essay and teacher of the
year contests.
The first to be announced was the second-place winner of the
Patriot’s Pen essay competition that was open to middle school students
including home schoolers, in grades sixth through eighth in the Windham area. Out
of the 48 submissions, Sam Williams of Windham Christian Academy won $50 for
his second-place win for his 300-400-word essay on this year’s theme, “Why I
honor the American flag.” First place winner was Alexander Potter from
Jordan-Small Middle School who won a $100 award. Both middle school
frontrunners read their essay to Sunday’s attendees and will enter the Maine competition
for a chance to win on a National level.
The Voice of Democracy audio essay competition was open to
high school students, grades nine through 12, including those home schooled in
the Windham area. Students were required to write and record a three to
five-minute essay, on an audio CD, regarding this year’s theme “Why My Vote
Matters.” The winner was Rose Hagerstrom of Windham Christian Academy (WCA).
Because she was unable to attend the ceremony and read her winning essay,
Principal Jackie Sands read the essay in her place. Hagerstrom will also be in
the running for a win on the state level.
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| Teacher Emily Stokes with Willie Goodman |
The final announcement was the Teacher of the Year Award.
This year’s recipient was sixth grade Windham Middle School teacher, Emily
Stokes, for her year-long study of veterans. Stokes incorporated all the
mandatory curriculum mandates to include language arts, social studies and more
as part of the year-long study. The students spent time interviewing veterans,
writing biographical essays, visiting museums and cemeteries to name just a few
of the projects included.
Special awards were also given to the Boy Scouts Troup 805
for their dedication to various veteran activities as well as a Blue-Star
Banner to a mother who has two sons currently in the military.
The Veterans Day ceremony ended with placing a wreath on the
Vietnam Memorial in the Memorial Garden
