Mt. Pleasant Public Schools (MPPS) will honor the men and women who served in uniform as part of Veterans Day observances on Nov. 11.
Honor guard and a special guest speaker will be featured during Mt. Pleasant High School’s (MPHS) assembly, and McGuire Elementary students will share themed presentations during its assembly.
“Mt. Pleasant Public Schools truly values the service and sacrifices our veterans and service members make to defend our freedoms,” MPPS Superintendent Jennifer Verleger said. “Men and women who serve in uniform are also a big part of our community, and we want to honor them for everything that they do.”
Army veteran and MPHS graduate Pat Birgy will deliver a special address during the high school assembly, which starts at 1:50 p.m. Awarded two Bronze Stars, Birgy served in the 1990-91 Gulf War and in Afghanistan and Iraq. Three of his four children attend MPPS, and his oldest son, Max, will be in the audience as a senior at MPHS.
“Our high school is excited and honored to host veterans during our assembly because they are truly heroes who serve our nation selflessly,” said MPHS social studies teacher Luke Epple Jr., who has organized the assembly every Veterans Days since 2023 and who comes from a family of veterans himself. “We look forward to welcoming veterans to our high school and showing them how grateful we are for their service.”
The MPHS assembly will also spotlight the school’s wind ensemble, student speakers and singers, and a bagpiper. Veterans, active service members and their spouses will also enjoy a free lunch before the assembly.
Third-grade students will deliver presentations titled “Veterans March.” Fourth graders will share readings and writings on the topic “Proud of our veterans,” and fifth graders will talk about ways to “Thank a vet.” In addition, the assembly will include a presentation of flags and a performance of a veterans honor song by the elementary’s Blue House Singers.
“This is such an important event that honors all those who serve and have served our country,” McGuire Elementary Principal Erin King said. “Through this event and the preparation that goes into it, our students learn about what a veteran is, why we honor them and the impact that their service has on our country.”
By: Sarah Wright | The Morning Sun