Evergreen students thank veterans with handmade cards

Just as Veterans Day is a longstanding tradition, so is the work of Evergreen Elementary School students to create cards to honor vets on the special day.

The students worked in class on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9-10, making the cards that were given out at Veterans Day events on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Evergreen Elementary Principal Ann Hilburn credited third grade teacher Jen Davies as the main motivator behind the cards, providing reminders well ahead of time, and making sure that the cards were delivered to the annual dinners held at the Elks Lodge and American Legion.

"It's been a longstanding tradition," Hilburn said.

Davies believes this practice of students making cards for veterans is at least 25 years old.

Third grader Jayden Mathieu proudly displayed her handmade card, which she made to show her appreciation for veterans. "It took me, like, an hour to make," she said. "I like making cards for people."

Many students reiterated similar sentiments of appreciation for people in military service who put their lives in danger to help people in need. Other students, like third grader Hunter Cowan, said they just liked drawing.

Fourth grader Jude Johnson appreciated a different aspect of creating a Veterans Day card. "I enjoy writing," he said.

Fourth grade teacher Brian Merritt talked about the process of his class making the cards, including a short video clip shown to students on the history of Veterans Day.

There is also Veterans Day artwork on display in the windows of the school office, including lenticular art, accordion-pleated creations that show different images when you look at them from different angles. Likewise presented are recreated emblems of the branches of U.S. military service: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. "That's all student work," Hilburn said.

The principal explained why the artwork was placed in that location. "The senior citizen housing is right across the street, and they walk down through here sometimes, so they can see that."

"There are going to be a lot of happy veterans at the dinner when they get these great cards," Merritt said.