Third- and fourth-grade students from Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary School went on a special field trip to the Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Center in Vancouver, Wash., in late January. They went to surprise and cheer Joel Craw, the school's board chairman and a veteran, who is recovering from brain surgery. Craw had been in rehab for four weeks. His progress was slow but steady.
The classroom was abuzz practicing songs, poems and making cards for all the veterans along with a large banner.
As they arrived, the children's anticipation was high. Once in the facility, a hush fell over everyone. Sitting before them were 20 veterans. Some had prosthetics; others needed help eating. After a few minutes Craw came. There were tears of joy as he looked at the students. He proudly expressed these were the best students and faculty in the world. Students performed marvelously, and the audience was blessed, as well as the participants.
Craw loved every second of the visit and truly enjoyed the cards, banner and hugs from the kids. Other veterans expressed joy and excitement for the students' cards.
Students had a lot of questions returning to the bus and there was a greater understanding of the sacrifice for freedom.
Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary School students sing during a field trip to the Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Center in Vancouver, Wash., in late January.
