World War II veteran Robert Wadlow sat with a group of third graders
Thursday, reading a book, fielding their questions and listening to their
comments.
After several questions came at once, he chuckled and told the West County
Elementary School students, “I'm so old, I forgot most of what I know!”
Wadlow was one of veterans who went to the school Thursday for lunch, a
recognition ceremony and the chance to read to youngsters during the school's
annual Veterans Day celebration. The celebration included a meal Thursday
evening at West County Middle School and a chili supper scheduled tonight at
the Elementary School.
Lunch included meatloaf, a meat tray and pumpkin pie. The school gave the
guests certificates of recognition and the Mineral Area Memorial VFW Post 5741
gave the children brochures about the Pledge of Allegiance.
In appreciation for the veterans, students decorated the halls and doorways.
“Hip! Hip! Hooray! From our families to you, for serving and protecting the
red, white and blue, thank you veterans from the West County preschool,” one
decorated door read.
Classes that won the decorated door contest were: Jill Simily's kindergarten,
Deanna Callahan's first grade, Jean Chitwood's second grade, Amanda Thompson's
third grade, Maria Sansoucie's fourth grade, Sandy White's fifth grade, Ruby
Buchheit's class, and the preschool classes of Beth Henson and Chris Marler.
Judges were the high school secretaries. Winning classes each will receive
pizza.
As part of the afternoon's celebration, fourth-grade students put on their
annual living history museum, a favorite of veterans.
“We had more veterans than last year,” said Barb Briley, a member of the
Mineral Area Memorial VFW Post 5741 Ladies Auxiliary in Leadington. “The
veterans just seem to love this one.”
In the 2006 Living Museum, students dressed as historical characters with ties
to Missouri and stood stationary in one hall and in the cafeteria while
waiting for visitors to push the “buttons” on their hands. One push and the
characters “came alive.”
There were adventurers Louis Jolliet, Daniel Boone and August Chouteau; strong
women such as Sacagewea, Molly Brown and Laura Ingalls Wilder; presidents
Harry S. Truman, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson; and colorful characters
including Cole Younger, Jesse James and Calamity Jane.
LeAndra Wheat liked her character, Sr. Rose Philippine Duchesne.
“She made the first free school west of the Mississippi and she did it for
blacks, whites and Indians,” LeAndra told Navy veteran Jacob Stevens.
Dylan Politte's friend made him a long, curly black beard for his portrayal of
Joseph Pulitzer.
“I like that he had the Pulitzer Prize named after him,” Dylan said.
Ulysses S. Grant (Steven Barlow), Mark Twain (Steven Lucas) and former slave
James Turner (Tyler Bohnenkamp) stood in one corner. As the cafeteria grew
warmer, the student grew more fidgety. Finally, Mark Twain could take it no
longer and removed his long white coat.
Amanda Winget portrayed actress Geraldine Page, and pointed out her role in
“My Baby Girl,” was filmed in St. Louis. But Amanda said her favorite part of
the day was not dressing up as a famous person.
“It's seeing all the veterans,” she said. “Because they have been giving us
freedom.”