By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— The Student Government Association at Calera High School has planned a special assembly to recognize and remember veterans Nov. 10, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the school.

The event, which is meant to embody the courage and valiance exemplified by those individuals who served for the United States, is for all veterans to attend even if they do not have family at the school.

“It’s a good day of service for the kids and it’s completely planned by them,” said SGA sponsor Laura Efford.

The morning will feature music from band and choir, poetry and a slideshow of photos submitted by the students and faculty. All of the veterans will sit in the middle of the assembly together.

“I really love the whole day, it’s a very nice experience,” Efford said. “For me, the slideshow really hits home because it gives our student body and our family members the chance to show how it impacts their lives.”

Efford said they will also hear from a father of one of Calera’s students who served in the military. He will talk about his time serving the country and his daughter will talk about what it’s like being part of a military family.

Then each of member of the branches of military—Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard— will be recognized for their bravery.

The students and veterans will then go to the library for a reception. Efford said the kids do everything from serving the food to visiting with the veterans to the clean up afterwards.

“For me, the reception is so nice,” she said. “The students take the time. It’s so often they never have the opportunity to sit down and talk with someone who is a veteran and thank them.”

The day of thanks doesn’t end there, as the school will then send some students out to the homes of veterans to help out with yard work. Efford said they will rake leaves, cut the grass, trim the trees or anything else that needs to be done.

The SGA plans many activities at Calera High School, such as homecoming, but Efford said the students get passionate about the Veterans Day events. She said they take ownership and plan the entire thing themselves.

Usually more than a dozen veterans attend the event, but Efford said they would like to have more come. Any veteran is welcome to attend.

To have your name added to the list of yards Calera students will visit, please email Sam Howze at lhowze@shelbyed.k12.al.us by Friday at 4 p.m.