Veterans of all ages gathered at Pioneer School for its annual Veterans Day Breakfast, where fifth grade students honored their service with a meal, interviews, and heartfelt performances.
The event has become a tradition that provides an opportunity for students to learn firsthand about military service while showing appreciation for those who have served.
The morning began with students serving breakfast to veterans, including Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker, a Navy veteran, and Anthony, 25, a former soldier. Attendees also included residents from the Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon and student teacher Alona Altuhov at Pioneer, who served six years in the Navy.
After breakfast, a fifth grader delivered a speech thanking the veterans for their service, followed by a patriotic song performed by the students. The audience responded with applause, reflecting the spirit of gratitude and respect that underscored the event.
The students sat in small groups, each assigned to interview a veteran at their table. They prepared questions in advance, focusing on the veterans’ military experiences, roles, and memories.
Anthony, the young soldier, shared highlights from his service, including memorable moments using hand grenades and shooting an M249 belt-fed machine gun. “That was amazing,” he told the students, who listened intently.The conversation took a lighthearted turn when he described being disciplined during training with pushups and sharing his preference for MREs (meals ready-to-eat) featuring jalapeño cheese. His younger brother, Landon, a fifth grader at Pioneer, was visibly proud to have his sibling present. “He was really excited to be here,” Anthony said.
Commissioner Tucker, seated at another table, reflected on the camaraderie of military life.
“One of the great things about military service is the camaraderie,” he said, pointing to his Navy hat. “You can connect with people anywhere in the world just by wearing this silly little hat.”
The event brought together veterans from diverse backgrounds and eras. Residents from the Oregon Veterans Home shared stories of their service, while younger veterans, like Jaush, and a Pioneer student teacher known as “Miss A” who served in the Navy from 2015 to 2021, offered a modern perspective. “Miss A” recounted her experiences in the Navy, with one student remarking in astonishment, “I wasn’t even born yet in 2015!”
Following the interviews, students were tasked with writing narratives about their assigned veterans, capturing the details of their service and the lessons they shared. The exercise aimed to deepen the students’ understanding of military service and its impact on individuals and families.
“They learned not only about the different roles veterans held, but also about the camaraderie and personal connections that define military life,” one teacher noted.
At one table, students asked veterans about pranks they played on one another during downtime. At another, the conversation turned to military discipline and physical training, sparking a lively discussion about pushups.
The Veterans Day Breakfast is designed to teach students about history, respect, and gratitude while giving veterans an opportunity to share their experiences. Veterans expressed appreciation for the event and the chance to engage with students.
“This means a lot,” one senior veteran said. “It’s a chance to share our experiences and see the next generation learning from them.”