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Melvin Braddy holds up a picture detailing area in which he served during World War II as his brother Larry, center back, and niece Joyce Schlag look on during Opdyke Grade School’s World War II Day. The Braddy brothers and Schlag were among a host of presenters on hand at the school educating students about the history of Veterans Day and sharing their military experiences. KANDACE MCCOY/REGISTER-NEWS
World War II Day offers chance for students to learn about history
By KANDACE MCCOY
kandace.mccoy@register-news.com
OPDYKE — Students spent Wednesday morning learning a bit of history, while also discovering the sacrifices of others during the school’s World War II Day.
For the last two years, teachers and staff at the school have chosen an event or holiday that not only brings in the community, but is a different way for students to learn about history without using books, according to organizers Linda Dailey, the school’s librarian and special education aide, and Debbie Blakey, Title I and technology teacher.
This year, they chose World War II in the hopes that students not only appreciate the sacrifices made for freedom, but to also understand something the students might not read in textbooks. Veterans from the era, as well as other eras, spent the morning talking about their experiences in the military.
“I think the veterans enjoy meeting young people and discussing their service with them,” said Dailey. “The kids seem to have a greater respect for the people they’ve known most of their lives — their grandparents and their parents.”
“Learning is based on experience and the students can interact learning with knowledge,” Blakey added. “By interacting with the veterans here, they can build their knowledge of World War II by learning what these soldiers sacrificed for our country.”
Students heard a presentation about the history of Veterans Day from Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 member Ross Horton, who also provided narrated a demonstration of the meaning behind the folding of the American Flag.
They also heard from World War II veteran Melvin Braddy and his experience while serving in the European Theater against the Germans. Braddy was a platoon sergeant in the U.S. Army 44th Infantry, which went ahead of other units, mainly in foxholes, to clear the way against the enemy.
Braddy was injured in 1945 before the war ended.
“Warfare is different today than it was then,” he told students. “A big percentage of our causalties came from the climate — there were people with frozen feet after sleeping in a foxhole in 20 degree weather."
Ernie Collins, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962, said events like World War II day means a lot to veterans.
“All these children and all these schools who put on programs for vets, it’s not a one day affair,” he said. “They practice and practice and it makes you feel good that these kids are honoring fellows like us.”
“I think the students appreciate the sacrifices made by veterans, no matter what war they were in,” Dailey said.
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