HomeLocalPonca PostWoodlands Elementary School Celebrates Veterans Day (photos)Woodlands Elementary School Celebrates Veterans Day (photos)Mon, November 14, 2016 by Lyman JamesSHARE NOW On Thursday, November 10, Woodlands Elementary School held a special assembly to commemorate Veterans Day.In addition to students, faculty, staff, families, and friends, the assembly was attended by at least 25 veterans and active duty military personnel. Mrs. Kurtz’ first grade class led the assembly with the flag salutes and the school creed.SFC Ty Burns was the guest speaker for the event. Burns is an active member of the Army National Guard as well as a history teacher and coach at East Middle School. He gave a heart-felt, stirring talk about what it means to be an American, serve in the military, and be a leader of any kind.In the Army, they use an abbreviated acronym to define leadership, L.D.R.S.H.I.P. (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, Personal courage). Woodlands parent Tim Seidel described Sgt. Burns’ address like this: “Sergeant Burns went on to define what each one of these words mean to him personally and his message provided great content to not just the students, but everyone in the assembly.”In addition, music teacher Beth Casey sang Woodlands’ patriotic song of the month, America the Beautiful, and a group of fifteen students sang a stirring rendition of God Bless the U.S.A. that had the entire audience on their feet by the end.Woodlands is proud to honor all United States veterans as well as those serving in active duty.Veterans and active duty military personnel that attended the assembly are pictured with their children and grandchildren that attend Woodlands. Also pictured are Tina Fisher, school counselor, “Woody” the Eagle, and Tim Williams, principal.Stormy Lowe, Skyler Stephens, Eli Wohl, Callie Jo VanHoesen, Chloe Parks, Allison Edwards, Lysbeth Stephens, Skylar Combs, Ryleigh Greenwell, Mackenzie Creech, Braden Perciful, Noah Jones, Gracyn Moore, Carma Roller, and Landon Seidel.Woodlands counselor Tina Fisher introduces SFC Ty Burns.SFC Ty Burns addresses the crowd at the Woodlands Veterans Day Assembly.