A tribute to veterans

LYNNWOOD – At Oak Heights Elementary School, Veterans Day is more than just a day off from school.

Preparations begin in August, when fifth-grade teachers select patriotic music they will teach students.

Ninety fifth-graders prepare speeches, study historical passages and poetry to recite, and learn songs to sing and sign. Some learn to march in a choreographed flag exercise.

Students in other grades make posters and write letters to veterans that second-grade teacher Carol Blaschka personally delivers to Seattle Veterans Affairs Hospital.

The ambitious preparations and time investment wasn’t lost on Rod Smith, 74, of Lynnwood, who wore his Korean War Veterans cap Wednesday to the students’ annual tribute.

Two of his grandchildren, Jacob, a fourth-grader, and Meagan, a sixth-grader, attend the school. More than a dozen veterans spanning five decades of military service were recognized and honored.

“It’s very moving, impressive, appreciated, whatever other words you can think of,” the former Marine staff sergeant said.

Jerry Olmstead, 41, a former Navy petty officer third class, was part of the crew on the USS Midway stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, for six years. His son, Jay, was part of the fifth-grade choir, and he watched him closely.

“It’s really nice what they do every year,” he said.

Olmstead and other veterans visiting the north Lynnwood campus Wednesday said they wished troops in Iraq and Afghanistan could have been at Oak Heights Elementary to see how much they are appreciated.

If they did, they would have understood that young people do understand who veterans are.

“Veterans are people who have fought in the many wars our country has faced,” said Shaneel Sologar, a fifth-grade student. “They are the men and women who have served in the armed forces during times of conflict and during times of peace.”

Morgan Robinson, a fifth-grader, quoted from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us … that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

Fifth-grade teacher Susan Newman helped arrange her 10th Veterans Day assembly. She has watched the ceremony evolve into a tradition and source of school pride over the years.

Newman shares with her students the heartfelt letters from a World War II veteran who attended the assembly for many years before he died.

“Every year is different,” she said. “Every year we try a different theme. It’s always worth it.”

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.