Clutching small U.S. flags in her small hands, Emma Moore paused to reflect on her appreciation but also her somberness for veterans on Memorial Day.
“I feel it?s important to honor those who passed away and for what they?re doing for us and our country,” said Emma, 11, a fifth-grader at South Shore Elementary School in Crownsville.
“It?s good to think that someone would give their life for us, but it?s also kind of sad.”
Emma and about 35 fifth-graders earned a special trip to commemorate the holiday Friday at Crownsville State Veterans Cemetery in Anne Arundel.
“As fifth-graders, these are the role models that show responsible behavior for the rest of the students,” Principal Linda Ferrara said.
Gov. Martin O?Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown helped the children place flags on the gravestones. A fatal accident on Interstate 97 caused both to be late for the ceremony.
The state leaders shared with the students their experiences with the men and women in uniform.
Brown told students of his 24 years on active and reserve duty and how he flew helicopters in the Army while in Germany.
O?Malley shared the story of his father, who died a few years ago, and how he was a pilot during World War II.
Kayla Smith, 11, said she felt honored that her school had attended the ceremony and meet the governor.
Each year at the school during this time, the school invites veterans from various wars to visit classrooms and hear the school chorus sing for them.
“It?s one of the best experiences I?ve had in school,” Kayla said.
The trip was organized by Anne Arundel County Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-District 4, who represents the Crownsville area.
