Honoring Heroes: Bolden Elementary Middle School Celebrates Veterans

In a heartwarming event at Bolden Elementary Middle School on Laurel Bay, students and staff came together to honor and celebrate veterans from all branches of the armed services. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the school's cheerleaders kicked off the celebration with a special routine to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," setting a patriotic tone for the day.

Veterans who are part of the Bolden Elementary Middle School staff were recognized for their service, receiving heartfelt applause from the audience. Dr. Angela Stephens took the stage to honor the Rodriguez family as the 2024-2025 Family of the Year, highlighting their dedication and contributions to the school community. The AVID class participated by sharing hear-felt poems celebrating our veteran heroes. 

The base commanding officer, Colonel Mark D. Bortnem, delivered an inspiring speech emphasizing the importance of recognizing veterans and military families. His words resonated deeply with the attendees, reinforcing the significance of the day's celebrations.

As a touching tribute, veterans stood proudly when their respective armed service songs were played, filling the room with a sense of pride and unity. The event also included a special recognition of the Marine Corps Birthday, where the tradition of the cake ceremony was explained. The youngest student and staff member were presented with pieces of the ceremonial cake, symbolizing the passing of knowledge and tradition.

The festivities continued with a lively pep rally, where 7th grade students and veterans teamed up for a friendly bean bag toss game. The veterans emerged victorious, much to the delight of the crowd. The school spirit competition between 3rd through 8th grade students was a highlight, with the 8th grade class winning the coveted spirit stick for their enthusiastic chants of "USA! USA!"

The event was a beautiful blend of celebration, education, and community spirit, leaving everyone with a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans and their families.