Chartiers Valley kindergarten students thank, honor veterans with annual tea
Chartiers Valley kindergarteners gave a patriotic thank-you to area veterans during the Primary School’s annual a few days after Veteran’s Day.
“This Veterans Day event is such a special event for our kindergarten students and the veterans,” said Suzanne Schweikert, Kindergarten teacher and coordinator of the Veterans Day Tea.
“…The Veterans Tea allows us the opportunity to show the veterans we respect them. It’s always so special to see the students learn about respecting the American flag, veterans, the great men and women who protect our freedoms, and to love our great country.”
Students learn the Pledge of Allegiance, proper hand placement and good posture; sing patriotic songs; and learn facts about Veterans Day, Schweikert said. They also learn about the American Flag and how to respect it.
Students make patriotic crafts and projects to display, and each veteran is given a signed placemat by the students thanking them for their service.
Veterans also are given a flag and veteran pin. A slideshow displays the students’ thanks to veterans.
This year’s event was held Nov. 14 due to a school cancellation on Veterans Day.
Schweikert said this year’s Veterans Tea was dedicated to her father, Joseph A. Schweikert. He was an Army veteran stationed in Germany during Vietnam and attended the Veterans Tea for years, she said.
Joseph died earlier this year.
“He is the reason I am so patriotic,” Schweikert said. “He was my hero.”
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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