The town of Brooks is going

to be red, white and blue on Monday in observance of Veteran's Day, thanks

to the children at Brooks Elementary School.

Teachers and students from

pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade have been busy for the past few weeks

making floats, designing costumes and writing letters for the second annual

Veterans Day celebration and parade. Although the school is leading the

way, many others in the community have joined in to make the parade a

memorable event. (Veterans Day is officially Sunday, Nov. 11, but is being

observed on Monday, Nov. 12.)

The festivities will kick off

at the school gym at 8:30 a.m. with the presentation of colors by the

Decatur High School ROTC Color Guard. The ROTC's choral group will also

sing a patriotic song a cappella before the parade starts. A fire engine

with firefighter Trenton Powers will lead the parade with students in

descending grade order following. Each of the 26 classes in the school

has decorated a red wagon "float." According to Dana Sams, teacher

and one of the event organizers, "The students have all been really

creative."

As the parade passes the post

office, students will mail letters they have written to soldiers, veterans

and President George W. Bush. Dignitaries from Ft. McPherson have been

invited to join in the parade, and there is hope that a Humvee may be

brought in for the parade. Numerous veterans will ride in convertibles,

and will be honored for their contributions.

"The children all know

what a veteran is and know to honor them for what they have done to give

us our freedoms," said Sams.

The 4-year-old pre-K students

will walk at the end of the parade. Each of the 4-year-olds will be dressed

in Uncle Sam costumes they created at school. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,

Shriners and others also will participate in the parade, which will wind

its way through town, ending back at the school.

At 11 a.m. a moment of silence

will be observed to remember and honor those who fought for peace. In

1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, the world rejoiced

as an armistice was signed to end four years of war. Nov. 11 was designated

as Armistice Day. In 1953 it was changed to Veterans Day. Many Americans

still give thanks for peace by observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

The festivities won't end with

the parade. At 6 p.m. a patriotic community picnic will be at Brooks Park.

The Boy Scouts will direct parking. Families are invited to bring lawn

chairs and blankets and enjoy a picnic prepared at home, or they may buy

a hot dog at the All-American Hot Dog Stand hosted by the PTO.

Live entertainment will be

provided by church choirs, Music Alive!, Sousa's Stars and Stripes Musical

Revue, the Brooks chorus and other local talent.

At 7:45 p.m. candles will be

lit and raised to honor U.S. veterans. The patriotic day of events will

end with the singing of "God Bless America" and the "Star

Spangled Banner."

For information, phone 770-719-8150.

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