Perry Kindergarteners Salute Veterans

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT ) – Nearly two hundred fifty kindergarteners took the stage to say thank you to local veterans.

Some of the youngest citizens sung their way into the hearts of veterans, students and their parents.

United States Air Force National Guardsmen, Troy Goodyear says seeing his five-year-old daughter, Erin salute him on stage made him swell with pride.

“I got a little tug on my heart, seeing her doing something so patriotic,” said Goodyear. “I really liked it.”

Shelia Clopton, the school’s music specialist, says she chose songs like, “Grand Old Flag” and “The Star Spangled Banner because they express a love for America.

However, the featured song of the program was “Thank a Vet.”

“We’re trying to teach the children that the freedom, we enjoy here in America is mostly because of the sacrifices that have taken place on the part of our veterans,” said Clopton.

Perry High school’s Junior ROTC served as ushers and presented colors during the program.

Even though the primary students are young, their principal, Elgin Mayfield, wants them to have an idea of why it is important to be proud of the flag and veterans.

Mayfield says the school only had one message for the former military men and women.

.”We wanted to salute our veterans and to say thank you for what they’ve done for our country and just give the children a chance to see the importance of what a veteran is and what this holiday is all about” said Mayfield. “It was a great program for the kids and it’s also a great civic lesson for the kids.”

The students held six “Salute to Veterans” musical performances. They did three shows Thursday, for parents and family members. They also did three shows on Friday for veterans, students, faculty and staff.