JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- It had the look of a typical Veterans Day school assembly, right down to the flag folding demonstration and the keynote address about the need to teach patriotism.
"You can become a terrorist if you're taught that way,” Veteran Leroy Heman said. “You can become a patriot if you're taught that way.”
However Veterans Day program at Simonsen Ninth Grade Center Thursday featured a special guest and a special cause.
Special guest, retired Jays coaching legend Pete Adkins, had a special mission.
First, Adkins accepted more than a $1,000 collected by Simonsen students for the honor flight program.
Then, the students presented something more.
Simonsen students joined other schools across the county to raise money for an effort called "Wreaths for Heroes."
Adkins and his wife, Lorraine, launched the campaign to fund the laying of holiday wreaths on each of the nearly 1,600 graves at the National Cemetery in Jefferson City. The money will maintain the wreaths for three years.
"On December 11th, we will form at Busch's Florist with trucks, and we will go to the cemetery at 7 in the morning and start placing the wreaths,” Adkins said. “If anybody would like to come out help us place the wreaths on the graves at that time, we would love to have them.”
Adkins said the effort still needs financial support.
Contributions can be sent to post office box 105882 in Jefferson City.
Additional information is available at Busch's Florist shop.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG