By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Students and faculty members at Elvin Hill Elementary School delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude to veterans for their sacrifice and service at a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 8.

“We want you to hear this loud and clear: Thank you, God bless you and God bless America,” student Ava Barco said in her speech to the more than 20 local veterans in attendance.

EHES Principal Dr. Lisa Stamps said the school held a Veterans Day essay contest among students, and two winners from each grade were chosen to read their essays during the program.

In their essays, students used words such as “brave,” “kind” and “amazing” to describe veterans. One student referred to them as “angels on earth.”

The EHES Choir sang several patriotic songs, including “America The Beautiful” and “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Bugler Olivia Harmon played “Taps.”

With emotion in her voice, Stamps shared the meaning of the small, unoccupied table set for one – a visual representation honoring prisoners of war and missing in action service members.

Then, each veteran in attendance was recognized by name, rank, branch of service, war or conflict and years of service. They were asked to stand as the songs for their military branches played during the Armed Forces Medley.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all our veterans for everything you’ve done, and what you mean to our country,” Stamps said before a standing ovation for the veterans took place. “America means a lot to me. I love and appreciate all of you for everything you’ve done.”