2008 Year in Review

Fifth Grade Veteran's Day Concert

A group of fifth graders in a marching formation.

The presentation of the colors.

The fifth graders singing "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"

Essay winners with their certificates (one not present).

Students holding signs for each branch of the military during the "Armed Forces Salute"

On Tuesday, November 11, 2008, the fifth graders of Morrison Southside School held a Veteran’s Day Concert called “Marching for Our Country” at the Morrison High School auditorium. The concert started at 7:00 P.M. and admission was free. Many people attended, including several veterans, who of which were especially invited to come.This presentation was directed by Mrs. Perrizo, the elementary school music teacher.

The concert started off with marching formations by the students coordinated by Mr. Prombo. The children also performed the presentation of the colors. The marching was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner accompanied by audience members.

After the crowd had taken their seats, the fifth graders were ready to sing. Each song the children sang was described first by a student with a little history behind the song. “Yankee Doodle” was the next song and some fifth graders took to the front of the stage to perform a dance along with the music. Next was a marching song entitled “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”

The fifth grade chorus sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” preceding another song the whole grade sang, “It’s A Long Way to Tipperary”, in which a student dressed in military uniform spoke during. Adam Deter accompanied the song “This Land is Your Land” with his electric guitar, which was followed by a song called “Fifty Nifty United States” which was composed by Ray Charles. During this song, each state in the U.S. was sung in alphabetical order twice, once at a steady pace, and once at a very quick pace. This was followed by “America The Beautiful” combined with the Pledge of Allegiance in musical tune as sung by the fifth grade chorus.

Every fifth grade student had to write an essay concerning the military, either about a branch of the military, or one based off of an interview with a veteran they know. Out of all the essays, the teachers of grade five picked out two essays from each of the three fifth grade classes. From those essays, two were chosen to be read at the concert.

After the essays, the students sang the “Armed Forces Salute”, featuring the official songs of the US Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force. During each of these melodies, veterans from that branch of military were welcomed to stand. The concert ended with “God Bless America” and a standing ovation.

by Marta Bender,
November 12, 2008