Veterans Day

David and Mary's school has a Veterans Day parade and assembly every year.  Children are encouraged to invite a veteran, and they can march in the parade with "their veteran."  So David and Mary and their cousin Evan all got to march in the parade with Greg.

(Marching in Veterans Day parades is not really Greg's thing.  In fact, I think he was looking forward to not wearing a uniform that day since he didn't have to work.  But he was a super good sport about it--and he was proud to walk with his children and nephew.)

Greg with the First Grade Cousins, Evan and Mary.
(They aren't in the same class, but their classrooms are right next door.)

The cousins with "their veteran."

The Major with his baby.

Time to line up for the parade.

The proud group heads out for the parade.

The halls were lined with students and teachers waving flags and cheering.

After the parade, everyone congregated in the gym for a short assembly.
Social butterfly Mary ditched her dad to sit with her class on the bleachers.  

Sweet Evan stayed and sat with me and Greg and Sara.  

Meanwhile, David had a special reserved front row seat since he was in the program! 

 A student from each grade was chosen to share something at the assembly.

David read a thank you letter he had written to all the veterans.

He did a great job!  (He had no nerves at all--even in front of all those people!) 

Meanwhile, Sara was melting down...so Daddy to the rescue!
 I think that baby has spent half of her life so far sleeping in the crook of her father's arm.

David is very proud of his dad.

Afterwards, Greg visited Mary's classroom to talk about what he does when he deploys as a civil engineer.  (Mary had already told the class that he build toilets, and he confirmed this, to their delight.)

Greg also visited David's class.  David did a great job introducing his dad.

It turned out to be a very special and timely day for our family.  By the time Veterans Day came, David and Mary knew that their dad would be deploying.  The school's celebration gave them the opportunity to feel proud of their dad--and see that lots of people our thankful for our family's sacrifice.  I am thankful David and Mary were able to feel special.