JEFFERSON TWP — Children are never too young to understand the importance of appreciating veterans for their service, whether current, recent or long ago.

That’s the patriotic position of officials at HIS Kids Christian School on Saxonburg Road, where the eight annual Salute To Our Veterans was held Wednesday, Nov. 6.

“Our kids today have lost, somewhat, the true meaning of freedom and that freedom comes at a cost,” said Carol Novy, school principal.

Novy’s father served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Veterans were treated to a welcome by Novy; the recognition of veterans from each branch of the military; reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and a prisoner of war/missing in action remembrance service; a rousing rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” sung by the school’s student body and the singing of the national anthem by a quintet of students; the presentation of student and staff thank you cards to the veterans; and a closing prayer by the Rev. David Perry, of Summit Presbyterian Church.

The 14 veterans and three guests also tucked into a lunch of pizza, salad and a variety of tempting desserts.

The program at Salute To Our Veterans was an emotional one for Sherry Smith, a second-grade teacher’s aide at HIS Kids.

Smith brought to the event the uniform of her late husband, Vietnam veteran Jeffrey Smith, who died in December.

“He loved serving his country and he loved coming here,” a grieving Smith said. “He looked forward to coming (to the Salute To Our Veterans) every year.”

Jeff Smith served in the Army and National Guard for 14 years, including time in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.

Sherry Smith started the Salute To Our Veterans in 2017 and has coordinated the event since then.

“I just really think it’s important that the kids know that our veterans served our country and make sacrifices for our country,” she said. “It’s important they know there are men and women out there who will answer the call.”

Smith said her husband would become teary-eyed at the event as he interacted with the students. Many others being honored had the same reaction.

“I think the veterans get more out of it than the kids do,” she said.

She said the students, who are in preschool through sixth grade, made 400 cards for veterans at Concordia Lutheran Services in Cabot, Deshon Place assisted and transitional housing in Butler, and Robin’s Home, the female veterans transitional living facility in Butler.

Brandy Biondo, the art teacher at HIS Kids, said the students did two flag paintings using their thumbprints, one of which will hang at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center in Butler. The other will adorn the walls of the Veterans HEART Resource Center on North Main Street in Butler.

“They did them totally by themselves,” she said of the unique paintings.

Amanda Galvan, of Clinton Township, served in the 171st Air National Guard for 25 years.

Because she is a volunteer gym and keyboarding teacher, and both her children went to HIS Kids, she has attended almost all of the Salute To Our Veterans events.

“Lots of times veterans are forgotten and only honored one day a year, but here, they are honored daily,” Galvan said.

She appreciates the effort the staff and students at HIS Kids put into the veteran-appreciation event.

“The public needs to hear that a little Christian school can make a big difference to some people’s lives,” Galvan said.

She also hopes the students learn from the event.

“I hope the kids learn respect for veterans and all those who continue to serve, and that it’s not just a uniform people wear,” Galvan said.

Matthew Reott, of Summit Township, serves with the Army’s 197th Transport unit. He was invited to the event at HIS Kids by his daughter, who is a first grade student there.

“It’s nice to see that people care,” he said of the veterans appreciation event.

Josh Noullet, of Butler Township, was invited by his niece, who is a kindergarten student at HIS Kids. He served in the Army with the B115th Infantry from 1997 to 2001.

“I hope the kids get a sense of pride for their country and unity and a sense of freedom,” he said of the event last Wednesday.

Noullet decried the division in society at this time and hopes folks can come together and love one another and the country.

Phil Henkel, of Summit Township, served in the Army Security Agency in Japan from 1969 to 1972.

“It’s a good idea to let veterans know people haven’t forgotten them and what they did,” he said of the event at HIS Kids. “I hope the kids realize that some people had to make sacrifices so they can go to school and live freely in this country.”

David Faust, of Jefferson Township, served in the Army National Guard’s 28th Division from 1957 to 1962. He was thrilled to attend the Salute To Our Veterans for the second time.

“I appreciate it,” he said. “You get to see people you don’t normally get to see.”

Faust also enjoyed seeing the veterans interacting with students.

“I hope the kids learn respect for people in the service and what they give up for our country,” he said.

Those just beginning their education at HIS Kids and those in upper grades alike understood the importance of the Salute To Our Veterans.

“We get to celebrate the veterans who fought for us and protected our country,” said Perri Glaze, a fifth-grader.

Aniyah Schoeffel, a HIS Kids kindergartner, hoped the program had an impact on her classmates.

“I hope they learn about how (veterans) save our country,” said Aniyah, whose brother serves in the military.

Nyomin Dimit, a second-grader and the reigning Miss Pennsylvania Military Star, said it’s important that her classmates learn to thank veterans for one particular reason.

“So the veterans feel loved,” she said.