Schools plan Veterans Day celebrations

Schools throughout Carson City are planning ceremonies Friday in honor of Veterans Day on Monday.

Fritsch Elementary and Carson Middle schools will be retiring old, weathered U.S. flags. School officials are encouraging community members to drop off damaged flags at those campuses.

Many Nevada public schools and colleges are closed Monday for Veterans Day.

"With so many Americans showing their patriotism and flying flags once again, it is also important to remember to retire them correctly," said Carson Middle School teacher Jessica Daniels. "The CMS Flag Retirement Ceremony is a place to take flags that have become weathered."

Students at the middle school will maintain tradition by displaying about 300 veterans' biographies on the front lawn of the school.

Empire Elementary School students will begin the day with a fly-in from a National Guard helicopter followed by a school-wide Pledge of Allegiance and singing of patriotic songs.

Students from Fremont Elementary School are making U.S. flags for a display titled "Courage Links Us Together." Selected students will read their thoughts on courage during an assembly.

Carson High School invites all veterans of the military services to attend a recognition ceremony at the school.

Beginning at 10:45 a.m., the high school band will play patriotic selections. The 30-minute ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with the presentation of colors by the Naval Junior ROTC color guard. The choir will sing the national anthem.

The speaker will be retired Marine Corps CWO3 David Wyble, commander of the Carson City Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. At the conclusion, Penny Reynolds' culinary arts students will serve refreshments in the school restaurant.

All veterans are invited to attend and to wear their distinctive military memorabilia, including organizational items from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League, Navy League and other units.