More than 400 students at the Brantner Elementary School participated in a patriotic assembly Sept. 8.

Principal Melissa Stewart said that the assembly was the school’s special way of honoring and recognizing the men and women who serve and sacrifice on a daily basis to ensure the safety of the community and the nation.

“This is my favorite day of the year,” she said. “This is our second annual patriotic assembly and as a school community, we really wanted the opportunity to honor and thank all of our community members that keep our building a safe place where we like to come and learn.”

Receiving gratitude and acknowledgement by the elementary students at the assembly were representatives of the Union Township Fire Department, the Union Township Police Department, and representatives of the U.S. armed services (including many veterans).

The assembly included musical performances of patriotic songs by the students (the fifth grade class rapped a hip-hop rendition of the pledge of allegiance), and the raising of a flag that had recently flown in Iraq by students in the Boy Scout Troop #336, with a little help from naval petty officers first class Mike Brumfield and Nathan Mastin.

The assembly also included a tribute to the family, friends, and loved ones of those who work at the elementary school who are currently serving the country around the world in the U.S. armed forces.

“We have many staff members who have family members serving in the armed services right now, so this day is also our way to pay tribute to them since they cannot be here with us today,” Stewart said.

West Clermont Superintendent Dr. Gary Brooks said that the assembly was only the first of many events coming up this week designed to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

“The West Clermont Board of Education has done a proclamation to make Sept. 11 a firefighter, police, and EMT appreciation date from this point on in the school district,” he said before the assembly. “So, this patriotic assembly event is the first of several activities going on in the district in the next couple of days.”

Brooks continued by saying that the event was a way for young kids to recognize the thread of patriotism in our community, especially those that selflessly serve the community in so many different ways.

Principal Stewart said that it is very important that all of the students feel safe in their school and recognize those people most responsible for ensuring that safety.

“Today is really for the kids,” Stewart reiterated. “It gives our students the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all of the many people who make Brantner Elementary a fun, safe, and great place to learn.”