From classroom visits and school ceremonies to musical performances and community events, students across St. Vrain Valley Schools recognize the service and sacrifices of military veterans.
Under a clear November sky, students and staff at Longs Peak Middle School gathered around the school’s flagpole Wednesday morning for a Veterans Day tradition that has connected generations of students with local military veterans.
With the entire school assembled outside, community veterans joined students for a flag-raising ceremony recognizing the service, dedication, and sacrifices of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The ceremony was one of many Veterans Day observances taking place across St. Vrain Valley Schools, where students participated in activities designed to deepen their understanding of military service, American history, civic responsibility, and the importance of honoring veterans.
Throughout the district, schools marked the occasion through special breakfasts, classroom visits from veterans, student performances, and commemorative ceremonies. Students also extended their appreciation beyond school walls, with high school marching bands participating in Longmont’s annual Veterans Day Parade.
At Longs Peak Middle School, the day’s events reflected a particularly meaningful tradition of remembrance and community connection.
Principal Karin Blough joined longtime community veteran Ralph Bozella in leading the morning ceremony. Bozella, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam and has dedicated decades to supporting fellow veterans, has helped organize Veterans Day observances at Longs Peak since 1995.
As students gathered around the flagpole, the school’s choir performed the national anthem. Students then assisted visiting veterans in raising the American flag, participating directly in a ceremony that connected the school’s daily traditions with the significance of Veterans Day.
Veteran Steve Butner also addressed the students, speaking about the meaning of the American flag and the importance of Veterans Day as an opportunity to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. His remarks encouraged students to reflect on the service and sacrifices of military members and their families.
The ceremony concluded with the entire school reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, a familiar part of the school day given additional significance by the presence of the veterans being honored.
Following the outdoor ceremony, veterans gathered in the school library for a special breakfast hosted in their honor. Students continued the morning’s tribute with a medley of patriotic songs performed by the school choir, creating an opportunity for veterans, educators, and members of the school community to connect.
A Lasting Legacy of Service
Among the guests were Rick and Debbie Anderson, whose annual participation carries particular significance for the Longs Peak Middle School community.
Their son, Christopher “Doc” Anderson, was a former Longs Peak student who went on to serve as a U.S. Navy hospital corpsman assigned to the Marine Corps. Anderson was killed in action in Iraq on December 4, 2006, at the age of 24.
His service and sacrifice remain part of the school’s history through a dedicated tribute within its longstanding veterans memorial mural. The display serves as a lasting reminder of the personal stories behind military service and the connections between the school, its alumni, and the broader community.
The Anderson family’s continued presence at the annual ceremony helps carry that legacy forward, allowing new generations of students to recognize that the history they learn is also connected to people and families in their own community.
For students, these personal connections offer an opportunity to develop empathy, gratitude, and an understanding of the sacrifices made by service members and their families.
Learning Through Service and Community Connection
Across St. Vrain Valley Schools, Veterans Day provides an opportunity for learning that extends beyond textbooks and classrooms.
By welcoming veterans into schools, listening to their experiences, participating in ceremonies, and contributing through music and community events, students gain a deeper appreciation for the people and experiences that have shaped the nation’s history.
These observances also reinforce the importance of respect, service, civic engagement, and community connection; values that contribute to students’ growth as thoughtful and engaged citizens.
As school communities gathered throughout the district on Veterans Day, the message was shared through many different experiences: honoring those who have served, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and ensuring that their stories continue to be shared with future generations.