Eighth-grade students from Olentangy Orange Middle School (OOMS) spent the day honoring and learning from more than 65 local veterans and active service members on Friday, November 12. The annual Living History Day event began with with breakfast for the special guests and their student “buddies.” The day also included an assembly featuring Colonel Tim Gorrell and Olentangy Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. Following the presentation, students got the chance to talk with veterans and active service members in a small-group setting about their lives and experiences.
This event allowed students to engage in several communication learning targets and to learn valuable social studies curriculum lessons such as understanding civic responsibilities and the origins of the rights Americans enjoy today.
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- OOMS student Carson M. hosted the assembly.
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- Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D., expressed his gratitude to the veterans for sharing their time with Olentangy students.
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- Members of the Delaware County Air Force Junior ROTC perform a flag-folding ceremony.
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- Rich Dorrity, DCV, narrates a remembrance table ceremony performed by a fellow veteran and an OOMS student.
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- OOMS staff members perform Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance.
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- OOMS student Rachel P. reads her poem about the sacrifices of serving our country.
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- A group of veterans listens to speakers during the assembly.
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- Veterans stand during the assembly as they wait to introduce themselves to the crowd.
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- Veteran and OOMS staff member Marvin Louthain introduces himself during the assembly.
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- This WWII veteran told the crowd that his superior officers always told him he was fighting to save future generations. He scanned the room and then exclaimed, “Wow, you are worth saving!”
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- Colonel Tim Gorrell served as the guest speaker for the assembly.
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- OOMS teacher Nancy Poliseno spends months organizing Living History Day each year.
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- A display of military gear at OOMS.
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- Korean war veteran Bob Burr holds a shell from his service weapon.
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- WWII veteran Dante Guzo brought newspapers, photos and food rations to show students.
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- A student reads Mr. Guzo’s laminated copy of a WWII-era newspaper.
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- A student studies photos of battle sites.
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- Veteran Jim Krebs laughs as he tells students he loves snow but hates the cold. He explained that he nearly froze to death during WWII, but that the snow protected him and helped him hide from enemy fire.
