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East Park students recognize veterans at East Marion Park memorial

Times West Virginian - 11/10/2017

Nov. 10--FAIRMONT -- On Thursday morning, the music and lyrics of "America the Beautiful" could be heard echoing from East Marion Park.

About 50 second-grade voices sung in unison from the memorial wall to the local veterans in attendance, who then received ribbons from each student also in recognition.

"This was to absolutely be thankful for everything our veterans do for our country," Amy Netz, a second-grade teacher at East Park Elementary, said.

Netz's husband is a veteran of the military, so she knows of the sacrifices made to the country through the service. Her mission for the performance, besides thanking local veterans, was to teach her students about their sacrifices and how they should honor them for making them.

"We feel that veterans are so important, and children need to know it is important what they have done for our country. So many children have parents in there and grandparents and we thought it was very important to honor them," Netz said.

Netz and the school found a way to honor them, through music. Netz said the students worked on learning "America the Beautiful" in advance with music teacher Aaron Hostutler, who played guitar for the performance.

In addition to this prep time, the students also had a visit from other veterans the previous day relaying their stories and experiences for the kids.

"We want the students to understand what they went through. We actually had speakers come yesterday to the school who spoke to the students about what they went through when they were in war and what it was like to be a Marine or in the Army, and I think the students were able to get a more in-depth visual of what they had to go through to help support and fight for our country," Jessica Holt-Whaley, assistant principal at East Park Elementary, said.

"I think they really appreciated the ones who came, too, and I know they were excited to come sing for them."

Email Eddie Trizzino at etrizzino@timeswv.com and follow him on Twitter at @eddietimeswv.

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