Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Students at Jonesboro Public Schools (JPS) International Studies Magnet School gathered Wednesday afternoon to celebrate and honor veterans for Veterans Day.
The event, hosted by parent group Parents and Teachers Helping Students, saw performances of various patriotic songs by JPS students. The event’s featured speaker was Tim Doyle, a retired Sergeant First Class in the Army National Guard, who is also the husband of JPS superintendent Misty Doyle.
The event also honored students with veterans in their families or with close friends, as students pinned a commemorative America 250 pin on their veteran during the ceremony. About 55 veterans attended.
“This is such an important thing for us to teach our students about veterans and those that serve our country – either active [duty] or that are veterans – that they understand the importance and the sacrifice that’s been made” Veterans Day program coordinator Audra Earnheart told JRN. “This is just a way to honor veterans that are either in their family or close relatives or friends, and the students are able to invite them and honor them during this program.”
| ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now
The ceremony took place in the International Studies gym, which was adorned with patriotic artwork made by students. During the ceremony, the school’s fifth grade students sang “Our Heroes,” while JPS senior Ava Fitzgerald performed “The National Anthem” and “God Bless America.” The event concluded with all students in the audience performing “The Veterans March.”
During his speech, Doyle spoke about his experience serving in the military. He joined the Army National Guard at 17 and served for 10 years with the 39th Infantry Brigade and another 10 years with the 875th Engineer Battalion. He was deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and retired in 2009.
He also encouraged students to inspire change in the world, and to make a difference, no matter how small.
“Just because you’re younger, don’t let anybody ever tell you that you’re not capable of doing things, doing great things,” he said. “Small things make a difference.”
Earnheart said the event, which has been hosted for five years, allows students who may not know any U.S. Armed Forces members or veterans to hear firsthand from one.
“We just really think it makes that connection,” Earnheart said. “They might not be close to a veteran, they might not know a veteran, but to be able to come and hear from one, that, we think, really makes it special.”
| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter