Murchison ISD to honor war vets
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Area veterans are invited to attend Murchison ISD's annual Veteran's Day Program. Visiting veterans will be honored by the students of Murchison Independent School District with singing, poems and gifts from the enrolled kindergarten through eighth grade children.

Cindy Bailey, teacher at Murchison ISD, said students will show the veterans their appreciation for the sacrifices the veterans have made.

"Our children will sing some songs to them, and children will present gifts," Bailey said.

The program will begin at 2pm Monday, November 12, one day after Veteran's Day. The program will occupy the school cafeteria and should last about an hour. It is free to the public and refreshments will be offered for the veterans.

"We usually have around 20 to 30 veterans who come to be honored," Bailey said.

Billy Beasley, war veteran and former principal of Brownsboro Intermediate School, will be the guest speaker for the program.

In addition, students will put up stars with the names of family servicemen and women unable to attend as decorations in the school.

"We thank them for the sacrifice they make to keep us safe and for the freedoms we have," Bailey said.

Scott Beene, principal at Murchison ISD, said families of veterans should sign their veteran's name at the school so the veteran will be honored. Names can be entered by notifying the school's office or by calling the school's number. The number is 903- 849-3636.

"We encourage anyone who is a veteran to sign up," Beene said. "Veterans can walk in the day of the program and sign up, and we'll still get them on the stage."

Beene also said the program has run for several years.

"I've been here three years and was going on before I got here and every year since. I think it does a wonderful job honoring the area vets," Beene said.

Bailey said the program is not the only thing the kids do to honor soldiers. During the Gulf War students "adopted" a soldier and sent him letters. When the soldier returned to the states, he brought T-shirts for the students who had adopted him.

Beene said he liked the program because it got the kids involved, and it always has a good community turnout.

"It's a really good afternoon," Beene said.