Straight Talk With Soldiers

With a high population of military families, the J.E.J. Moore Middle School in Disputanta, Va., emphasizes the importance of honoring those who have served. Each November, in conjunction with Veterans Day, the school holds a “Straight Talk With Soldiers” event, where soldiers from nearby Fort Lee visit the school to talk with students and answer questions. Before the event, the students create Veterans Day artwork for display, and afterward, the soldiers, teachers, and staff members who are veterans attend a banquet held in their honor. The PTO provides the main dish and parents donate side dishes, desserts, and beverages. As well, several classes write thank-you notes that the soldiers receive during the banquet; extra notes are mailed to the local veterans hospital and VFW chapter.