- November 1, 2024
Loading
As 55 Old Kings Elementary School students belted out lyrics to "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood to conclude the veterans showcase, families in the audience gave the patriotic tikes a standing ovation.
The second-annual showcase was originally scheduled for Flagler Beach's First Friday event on Nov. 2, but poor weather delayed the performance, which was then held Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the OKES cafeteria.
The performers were made up of third- through sixth-graders from the after-school chorus group and other choir students that music teacher Rodney Harshbarger has in classes throughout the school year.
New to this year's showcase was the introduction song, "Heart of America," by Teresa Jennings. Harshbarger said he added this piece to give the students new material to learn. The song of each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces was also sung. Veterans (and their spouses) in the audience who served in each branch were invited to stand during their respective song. While they stood, OKES student Maddox Harshbarger handed out homemade thank-you cards to them.
"It brings an awareness in this day and age where our world is at constant war," Harshbarger said. "Every single class has somebody it seems who's in Afghanistan now or was there or some connection throughout their family."
A veteran himself, Harshbarger served in the U.S. Navy.
"I think Veterans Day should be veterans season instead of just one day," he said.