By Kierra Bumford

I am a seventh-grader at Messalonskee Middle School. On Oct. 6, we visited the Cole Land Transportation Museum. Mr. Cole, the founder of the museum, was in World War II, and when he went to war he made a promise that he would give back to the community. He did just that when he came back, and he created the Cole Land Transportation Museum with the help of his dad.

The museum was a place where we got the privilege to interview a veteran. I think that it would be a good idea for other schools to go and visit the Cole Land Transportation Museum and have the privilege to interview a veteran. The veteran I interviewed was Marty Bell. He taught me a lot and told me many stories. There was one that stood out to me most, and that was his definition of freedom. His definition of freedom is he has the ability to do what he wants and say what he wants when he wants. We all have our own definition of freedom, and nobody’s definition is wrong.

Veterans are very important people and at 8:45 a.m. Friday in the Performing Art Center at Messalonskee High School in Oakland we are having an assembly that is all about recognizing veterans. Any veterans are welcome to come to the assembly.

Veterans are asked to arrive at 7:45 a.m. in the Messalonskee High School cafeteria for refreshment and mingling while the students assemble in the auditorium. We will be presenting different things to honor the veterans, and what they have sacrificed for our country.

Kierra Bumford, Sidney

 

By CJ Sudsbury

I am a seventh-grade student at Messalonskee Middle School. As we were coming into the Cole Land Transportation Museum on Oct. 6, I was nervous. I did not know what to expect when I walked off the bus.

I went through the entrance of the Cole Land Transportation Museum knowing I was to interview a veteran. I have never done this before, but when I walked into the museum I could just feel the history.

I did not know who I was to interview or what they would say. I was escorted to Mr. Albert Gibson’s table. He lives in Brewer. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War. What struck me the most was when Mr. Gibson said he saw kids that were needing food and the other troops gave them some food like a candy. He and his fellow servicemen tried to help them as much as they could.

I also was surprised when he told my group that he enlisted for the war and was not drafted. It takes a lot of bravery to sign up knowing that he could be killed. Mr. Gibson is special for doing that because not everyone would want to go to war.

CJ Sudsbury, Sidney

 

By Nathan Bacon

Recently the students at Messalonskee Middle School, where I am a seventh-grader, went to the Cole Land Transportation Museum to learn about the sacrifices that veterans made for the freedoms we enjoy. We also had two veterans come to our school to talk to us about their sacrifices.

After this field trip, I now have a different appreciation for our veterans. We have been doing war research and veteran interviews to better know about the sacrifice the veterans chose to make for our country. I also appreciate very much those soldiers who did not make it back from war and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Messalonskee Middle School students try very hard to honor the veterans who served our country. We have interviewed, written letters and posters, and submitted essays talking about veterans. We also had some veterans come in and talk to us about their experiences. The way we greeted them was by filling the lobby, stairs and hallway with students holding flags. The flags made a tunnel for them to walk through. We really enjoyed it, and they seemed to enjoy it as well. We are grateful for their service.

Another way we would like to show our gratitude is having an assembly to honor veterans. The assembly will be held this Friday in the Performing Arts Center at Messalonskee High School starting at 8:45 a.m. All veterans are invited to attend and are asked to arrive at 7:45 a.m. in the high school cafeteria for refreshments and mingling while the students assemble in the auditorium. Please come and join us for this assembly.

Nathan Bacon, Sidney

 

By Jordyn Caouette

I am a seventh-grade student at Messalonskee Middle School. At my school we are having a veterans assembly at 8:45 a.m. Friday in the Performing Arts Center at Messalonskee High School in Oakland. The whole school goes to the PAC, and one team hosts the assembly. This year my team is hosting it.

Our assembly is an opportunity for us to honor veterans. We have been interviewing and visiting with veterans of the various wars to better understand what freedom means and the sacrifices that have been made to keep these freedoms. The assembly is a chance for us to show our gratitude for what veterans have taught us.

All veterans are invited to the assembly. Many of us have invited family members who have served or are currently serving in the armed services. We even get to escort them to their seats after we serve them refreshments in the high school cafeteria beginning at 7:45 a.m.

We have special things planned. The high school band will play the “Armed Forces Medley,” and each veteran will stand with their branch and be applauded. Some students will read or show the tributes they prepared, including a video report of our trip to the Cole Land Transportation Museum where we interviewed veterans. I like that we have this assembly because I think that it is very important that we honor our brave soldiers who fought for us.

Jordyn Caouette, Sidney