Red, white and blue - the colors of our nation - come out in bold as parades and fireworks remind many of our love of country as we celebrate our Independence Day each Fourth of July, but Veterans Day takes a little more education, a little more forethought and sensitivity to truly understand what it means to be a Veteran for a child, or a teen - even for those who have not served. In this way, Belleville does it right.

On Wednesday, November 9th, Belleville students and educators, families, community members, and Vets alike gathered in the Belleville High School's gymnasium to pause, remember, and celebrate what it means to have Veterans in our lives. For this day is not about our love of country, but our love for those who serve and who have served our nation. It is about these men and women who have given and sacrificed parts of their lives to stand tall and protect, and who have suffered loss and pain along the way. It is a great gift they give us all, and it is important to educate our youth about just what they have given - the "Gift of Sacrifice."

As we sat and looked out upon Brian K. Allen, Eugene R. Campbell, James R. Huntoon, and Philip C. Fransen, the group of four Veterans who were being honored Wednesday night with beautiful hand-made "Quilts of Valor" presented by Sue Levan-Green, Sue Gmur, and Nancy Dorl and heard their stories of military service, it resonated deeply with those gathered together in that high school gymnasium. It was also such an important message for our youth in Belleville to grasp. These veterans have all sacrificed parts of themselves to do what they believe to be right for the greater good, so the next generation can benefit. If we do not take the needed time out of our daily lives to pause, celebrate and educate about what these men and women have done for us as Americans, much of what has been given to us can easily be taken for granted.

So, an event like this annual Veterans Day Program holds importance for our youth. There is a beauty witnessed when intergenerational community events such as this one shed light on the love held community-wide for one another. When youth can take part and celebrate the work of adults in their world and come to an understanding that these folks did what they did so the next generation can have more opportunities, a better life and future, we become knowledgeable and can make better decisions as community members.

Through the "Wildcat Way" students in Belleville are taught what it means to have respect for one another and for their community and the Veterans Day Program is a great educational piece for youth in this regard. It gives these students a chance through oratory and musical gifts alike to pay tribute to the men and women who have given their service to the country and people they love.

District Administrator Nate Perry acknowledges the importance of making this special event happen annually, "The school district is happy to help host and put on the Veterans Day program for the community. Staff are willing to emcee the event, secretaries put together the program, the custodial staff sets up the gym, and of course our staff and students put on quite a performance! It is our pleasure to recognize and honor our local Veterans!"

The Veterans Day Program offers a unique and special way to educate our youth outside the classroom and for this reason, those who come together to make it possible each year should be applauded. It is a night that offers a tradition for the Belleville community to engage in something that stretches far beyond the walls of the little gymnasium that hosts this event each year and offers our youth a perspective that can help shape their future by looking at someone else's past.