Mt. Olive Elementary School showed military precision in executing Operation Read on Thursday, Nov. 15. The event combined an outpouring of respect and appreciation for military veterans and a series of activities focused on literacy.
Students visited different rooms to “build a hero” (a construction-paper collage), learn about veterans on NearPods, listen to readers, work military-themed acrostics, write letters and meet with local veterans. The former military men and women represented conflicts from World War II to actions in the Middle East.
The evening wrapped up musically, first with a program of patriotic songs performed by second-graders and then with the playing of “Taps” by Joe Odom, a Knox County school resource officer at Bonny Kate Elementary School.
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- Principal Casey Cutter, Appen Lee, Courtney Stewart and Tennessee National Guard Staff Sgt. Larry Lichtefeld
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- Jayla Zaragoza, Sharon Randazzo, Loni and Ella Phillips and Davin Lenoir
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- Eva Mathis writes a letter, watched by brother Weston and mom Amber.
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- Jace Duncan, kindergarten, works an acrostic with dad Bruce.
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- Knox and Kristyn McMahan use a NearPod
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- WWII veteran George Buchanan and friend Angie Bush
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- WWII veteran John Nipper shares with second-grader Ronnie Brabson.
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- Natalie Sullivan listens to Navy vets Gail Davenport and Brenda Rust.
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- Second-graders wow the audience.
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- KCSO resource officer Joe Odom plays “Taps.”
