LENOX, Mass. — Morris Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day a day early on Monday with its annual Wave Parade.

 

Approximately 321 students lined West Street to wave and cheer for the community's veterans and active service members in the area. 

 

The street was filled with cheers, flags, thank-yous, and excitement. As the veterans drove past, some students could be heard discussing the various wars and when they occurred. 

 

The initiative started in 2021, in part because of the pandemic, and has continued, Principal Brenda Kelley said. 

 

"We wanted to do something nice to honor the veterans but obviously we had to do some social distancing, so we thought a wave parade would be a nice way to honor them," she said. 

 

Every year it has grown, Assistant Principal Holly Soules said. 

 

"So, it's not only Lenox, if they're affiliated with Morris Elementary School, but also all throughout Berkshire County and beyond, if they're able to come," she said. 

 

"So every year, it seems as if more and more veterans and active service members are enjoying the parade." 

 

This year there were about 70 to 100 veterans who drove in the procession, they said. 

 

"I think it's a great thing that the kids in the school get to see and realize that we're still here," said Lewis Fortune, Lenox Veteran of Foreign Wars Commander and Army veteran.  

 

There used to be indoor sessions until the pandemic hit, then there wasn't anything for a couple years until the school came up with this idea, said Charlie Thompson, Lenox VFW senior vice commander and Navy veteran. 

 

"We've been doing this wait parade thing ever since and it's nice. It’s nice to be acknowledged by the kids. They put a lot of effort into it, too. They have fun with it," he said. 

 

The event means a lot to the veterans, especially the Vietnam era veterans, because when they came home they didn't get much, said Tom Joyner, Lenox VFW member and an Army veteran. 

 

"I'm an Iraqi Freedom veteran, twice, and we got home to everything, lots of opportunities and stuff like that. So, it's good to see the Vietnam veterans out here get appreciated," he said. 

 

It’s important for the students to see that they, too, owe their country something, Thompson said. 

 

"Some people have served their country in more ways than one. Some people help financially, religiously, whatever they can do. And some people have to be the grunts, so to speak, and do the work. And that's what we did," he said. 

 

Seeing the cars and the smiles on the veterans, people who served the country, is heart lifting, especially when it can be a difficult time of year for many people, Kelley said. 

 

It was also nice to see family members who are veterans participate, she said. 

 

"We had some grandchildren recognize their grandparents and so I think that's just another special way to honor extended families within the school," Kelley said. 

 

It also shows them that there are multiple career options out there, Thompson said. 

 

"Not everybody can go to college, number one, and it's more affordable to go in the military and learn a skill there than it is to try to go to school and bury yourself in debt for the rest of your life," he said. 

 

An event like the wave parade puts a face to history. It's important for students to hear about veterans all the time and put a face to the people who served their company, Joyner said.

 

Leading up to the event, the teachers presented in kid friendly language, how Veterans Day became recognized. 

 

"So, it's nice to hear our students talking about it and making that real connection, not just from history but how it is still honored today," Kelley said. 

 

The event also brings the community together, she said. 

 

"I think it gives them a sense of community and stuff like that, so they actually know who the people are," Joyner said. 

 

"We just finished doing a lobster bake last month, and that was pretty successful–raising money for the scholarships, and we raised over $6,000 to go towards scholarship funds." 

 

Local police officers and fire personnel also participated in the event, using their sirens and lights as they drove down the street. 

 

"This is great," said Stephen O'Brien, current Lenox Police Chief. 

 

The department will get questions from residents inquiring what is going on and the department will be able to tell them that they are celebrating Veterans Day a day early, and the dedication of the people in the parade, O'Brien said. 

 

"I think being the new person coming out here, it's awesome to see the support for the veterans. I've always supported the veterans, and it's not just a speech I always have, especially now my son is now in the Navy, so it takes on even more of a meaning,"  said Mark Smith, future Lenox police chief.

 

"Just the fact that they do this for the veterans is so important, because we always remember, never forget."