American Valor Quarterly Issue 10 - Summer 2013 | Page 37
followed by a full assembly which the
school’s History Departmet organized
honoring these veterans for their
service.
“Creating this experience for these
students to learn about veterans’
stories before they are gone helps
students understand the importance of
serving our country,” Mrs. Pearson
said. “And it is a tragedy that every
year we lose so many of these veterans
before they have their stories told. It
absolutely breaks my heart every time
I hear when we have lost another
veteran.”
Jack Perry, a sergeant in the 42nd Infantry Division and liberator at Dachau, autographs a
student’s notebook during the roundtable question and answer session as part of “Holding
the Hands of History.”
students had recently read about.
”The students listened as the veterans
told their amazing stories,” Mrs.
Pearson said. “The vets talked about
pulling all these stolen paintings from
salt mines. Also, in Blackfoot, Idaho,
we have a large population of African
American veterans of the war. They
spoke of their treatment and
experiences as black soldiers in World
War II.”
“As a veteran of World
War II, Korea, and
Vietnam,” he said, “I
have known a lot
veterans who are so
appreciative of Sonya
and her work to keep
our legacy alive.”
The veterans were
treated to a luncheon
and parade prior to the
question and answer
session, which was
Veterans and students gather for a school assembly, recognizing the service of those who fought during World War II.
AMERICAN VALOR QUARTERLY - Spring 2013 - 37
Rob Morris
Several of Mrs. Pearson’s family
members served in the military,
including her father who served stateside during War World II and an uncle
who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
However, her main motivation to
create the project was to help ensure
that her students know about the
sacrifices these veterans made to
protect our country during the war.
.
Mrs. Pearson acknowledged that
many other schools would never have
instituted a project like this. When
asked about the cooperation from her
school’s leadership she noted, “I was
For the outstanding work Mrs. Pearson
has done ensuring the legacy of our
veterans remain alive in all of our
hearts, the American Veterans Center
very lucky to have our administration will recognize her at our 16th Annual
so supportive of this project, and I Veterans Conference in November
couldn’t have done this without their 2013.
support and the wonderful team of
teachers that helped me put this all If you know a school, teacher, or
together.”
organization in your hometown is working
to preserve the legacy of our veterans, from
The students and the veterans had a the Greatest Generation to the latest
wonderful time. World War II veteran generation, please contact Seth Nichols at
Floyd Rowe, who has spoken at every 571-480-4156 or
Holding the Hands of History since [email protected].
its inception, said what a great time
he has had and how grateful he was
AVQ
for Mrs. Pearson’s work.