Public schools across Carroll County have been participating in activities to celebrate Veterans Day, from hosting breakfasts with veterans to having assemblies to celebrate the holiday.

In total, 19 of Carroll County’s 44 public schools held or are expected to hold some form of celebration for Veterans Day. Francis Scott Key High School and Hampstead Elementary School were some of the first among the county’s public schools to host events, each inviting veterans to visit on Nov. 7.

At FSK High, veterans and their families arrived Thursday morning at 8 a.m. for coffee, followed by a rendition of the national anthem sung by students, and a breakfast served by the high school’s FFA chapter. According to the school’s chapter adviser, Shelby Althoff, FFA members arrived as early as 6:30 a.m. to begin preparing breakfast from scratch, which included an array of pancakes, eggs and muffins.

Athletic Director Ryan Kimble, who helped organize the event, said that this was the school’s 12th year hosting the breakfast for veterans. In its first year, Kimble said about 40 guests attended. This year’s turnout eclipsed 100 visitors.

“It’s overwhelming, and it fills me with gratitude because they love to come back year after year,” Kimble said. “A lot of the Vietnam-era veterans, when they came back from Vietnam, did not get the gratitude and appreciation, and I think it has meant a lot to them.”

Before eating, veterans were treated to a short skit put on by drama students, and afterward, a poem was read by veteran Bob Miller, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1970. Closing remarks were given by Principal David Herman, who invited veterans to participate in a car parade around the perimeter of the school.

Students were waiting for the veterans, standing around the perimeter of their high school while waving American flags and cheering as cars passed by.

“I cry every time I come here,” said Vincent Perticone, 85, who is a veteran of the Vietnam War. “Why? Because these kids, they thank us and they make thank you cards, and they come up to us to thank us for our bravery, for being strong and for protecting their families.

“You can’t help but cry because these kids are coming up the right way in FSK High School, and we think they reflect what a lot of young Americans are doing,” Perticone added.

Later in the afternoon, veterans and active soldiers alike were invited to Hampstead Elementary School, where an assembly was held in the gymnasium at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the school’s chorus giving their own rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The assembly also featured a speech from guest speaker Lori Schlesinger, historian of the Hampstead Legion Post 200.

Veterans and active military members faced the student body, seated in rows of chairs at the front of the room.

Following Schlesinger’s speech, which explained the meaning of Veterans Day and why it is celebrated, Principal Addison Beck called students up one at a time as secretary Shannon Haines handed them small American flags to give to their veteran relatives, along with many hugs.

Haines, organizer of the assembly, said she wanted to thank veterans in a way that could get the entire school involved.

“In years past we’ve done different things like taking pictures of military families and putting them up on the wall,” Haines said. “But I wanted something that would have been more meaningful for the students, so they really understand what Veterans Day is. We have parents and family members that are currently serving, and I felt like it had to be more than just pictures on a wall.”

Haines herself is the daughter of a veteran, as her father was drafted into the U.S. Army in the early 1970s. Both she and her husband also had grandfathers serve during the Korean War.

George Wagner (U.S. Air Force, 1954-1958) and Craig Nelson (U.S. Army, 1966-1967) were both present at Hampstead Elementary to receive American flags from their great-granddaughters, 7-year-old Josie and 9-year-old Natalie Crocker. The pair said they had received thank you cards or attended breakfasts for the holiday in the past, but never experienced an assembly of this manner.

“To see them here handing out the flags, I had tears in my eyes,” Nelson said. “We had great camaraderie here among all the veterans who showed up to support this.”

Among those veterans was also Eric Harris (U.S. Navy, 1992-1996) who received a flag from his daughter, Eiliyah, 7.

“It felt rewarding, like I contributed to something,” Harris said. “It was nice for my daughter to hand me the flag, that was wonderful.”

Also touched by the assembly was special education teacher Andrea Pfoutz, whose father served in the Army for 28 years and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“It took everything I had not to cry. I was definitely choked up hearing them sing, and then seeing all the veterans here with their family members was very touching and emotional,” Pfoutz said.

Carroll County Public Schools will continue to host events throughout the weekend and into Veterans Day on Monday, with many other schools arranging breakfasts, classroom visitations and assemblies.

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