November 12, 2026, Seward Folly by student journalist Selah Brueckner

November 11th, 2026, marks the second year the Seward Elementary School has visited the American Legion on Veterans Day.

Seward’s elementary students pose for picture on Veterans Day at the Legion

Tara Swanson, fifth-grade teacher, began this tradition after a guest visit to the Legion. There she formed connections that inspired her to bring her class on Veterans Day. Commenting on this, she said, “I started learning how to integrate the schools and the Legion, and sort of build those bridges of educating kids about civics and service.”

Teachers Abby Webb and Sue Pfeiffenberger also accompanied first- and second-graders to visit the Legion. The classes do not come empty-handed. Both grades performed songs with hand motions to thank the Veterans for their service. “The kids have been practicing for one to two weeks,” Pfeiffenberger shared. They prepared for their visit by discussing the meaning of Veterans Day. She explained, “We talk to them about what a veteran is, and we ask if any of them have veterans in their own families.”

The first-graders presented “Red, White, and Blue,” written by Debbie Clement. The second-graders performed “Thank You, Oh Thank You, Men and Women Brave and Strong,” written by Michael and Angela Souders. During their serenade, the children wore festive yellow paper hats, each with a ring of red around it, showing off hand-cut yellow stars. Not only did they sing, but they brought cards for the veterans to open after they left.

The fifth-graders went to the Legion once the other grades had finished. The children were first asked if they knew what a veteran was and why Veterans Day is celebrated. Several children’s answers included: to remember people who fought in wars, to thank veterans, and to celebrate the flag. The empty chair ceremony, which had been held for the first two grades, also took place.

Clare Sullivan, an Army Veteran and member of the American Legion, explained the purpose behind the ceremony. It is conducted to honor soldiers missing in action (MIA) or prisoners of war (POW) and to remember them and their families. A historical presentation on POW/MIA bracelets was given. After that, the children split into groups to talk with individual veterans.

This was not Seward Elementary School’s debut into the Seward community. Swanson mentioned that they have “worked with other artists and community members to do specific projects.”

These outings are extremely impactful for the kids. Swanson expressed, “Developing the awareness of other adults in the community is very healthy for them. They are really receptive to the connections they’ve made with other adults, being able to learn something new from someone who isn’t their parent or teacher, someone outside of their social circle. It’s something different and real for them to experience.”