SCHOOL PROGRAM MAKES VETERANS DAY MEAN MORE; SCHOOL KIDS BRING FAMILY MEMBERS.Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer In a Veteran's Day ceremony held the day before the official holiday, several veterans - guests of their children and grandchildren - took the opportunity during a moment of silence to survey the smiling faces around them. Many said that as they looked around the playground at White Oak Elementary School elementary school: see school. , they realized what they fought for all during World War II, the Korean War Korean War, conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces in Korea from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. At the end of World War II, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet (North Korean) and U.S. (South Korean) zones of occupation. and the Vietnam War Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. - to give these children a chance at a good education. And they were grateful that a new generation of children was being taught just what the men and women who serve in the armed forces do for the country. ``I think they should do this more often,'' said Victor Estrada, who served in the Army's 82nd Airborne during World War II. ``In Europe, the schools celebrate like this all the time and they know all about what happened. In the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , we don't do it like this very much.'' Nonetheless, 12-year-old Brett Lawrence said he was very familiar with the stories of his grandfather's service in 1944 - including the four times Estrada parachuted into combat in the European theater. ``I think that it's neat to jump out of a plane with bullets flying at you, which you're doing to serve your country, and you're proud,'' Brett said. ``But it's kind of scary, because one of those bullets could hit you. It was worth it for him because he was doing it for us. He's protecting all of us.'' Many veterans of foreign wars do not like to talk about their experiences overseas and in combat, a situation that some of the veterans said is especially dire in light of the dwindling dwin·dle v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles v.intr. To become gradually less until little remains. v.tr. To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease. WWII WWII abbr. World War II WWII World War Two generation. ``That's very sad. All of this history is going to be lost,'' Estrada said. ``That's why sometimes when I'm in the mood, I really talk about it. ``But some experiences in battle, I don't talk about,'' he added. ``I'd rather keep some of it to myself. It never leaves you. I have dreams about it sometimes.'' The veterans program at White Oak was a collection of patriotic and military songs, as well as speeches given by students about what it means to serve the country, in both peacetime and war. Sgt. Luis Cardenes, one of the school's janitors, and other members of his Army National Guard unit, served as color guard for the ceremony. Cardenes, who served in the Army for six years and is now also a student at California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an , said he enjoys interacting with the children away from his job. ``When they see me do things like this, they see me as a different role model,'' he said. ``I like it when they go home to their parents and say, `Mr. Cardenes did this or that.' It shows that they're watching and I'm making an impact.'' School officials said that while the students enjoy a day off from classes today, they hope Wednesday's program will instill in·still v. To pour in drop by drop. in  stil·la tion n. some
sense of what the holiday is all about.
``This puts a face to the abstract notion of celebrating Veterans Day,'' said Principal Ann Eklund. ``For most people, it's a day off. The students will see the pictures of the flags in the newspaper, the ceremonies on TV. This way they'll have a knowledge of why we do those things.'' Veterans Day Events 10:30 a.m. Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura. Massing of the colors and service of remembrance. Former Rep. Robert Lagomarsino to deliver keynote address keynote address n. An opening address, as at a political convention, that outlines the issues to be considered. Also called keynote speech. Noun 1. . For more information, call (805) 642-1055. 11 a.m. Rancho Tapo Community Park, 3700 E. Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. Flag presentation, invocation, speakers and tributes. Refreshments afterward at the Moose Lodge, 4860 Alamo Alamo Eighteenth-century mission in San Antonio, Texas, site of a historic siege of a small group of Texans by a Mexican army (1836) during the Texas war for independence from Mexico. St. 3 p.m. Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Color Guard, Westlake High School Westlake High School may refer to:
CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1 -- color) Veteran Victor Estrada and his grandson Brett Lawrence attend the veterans assembly. (2 -- ran in Conejo edition only) Melanie McQueen performs at the assembly, holding a photo of her grandfather Hugh Shepley. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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