Holy Family Elementary Students Honor Veterans with Patriotic Performances at Local Nursing Homes

Holy Family Elementary Students

Honor Veterans with Patriotic

Performances at Local Nursing Homes

Linda Cannon

For the Ashland Beacon

In a heartfelt tribute ahead of Veterans Day, students from Holy Family School in Ashland brought music, gratitude, and youthful energy to three local nursing homes this week, performing a selection of patriotic songs for area veterans. What began as a simple musical outreach has grown into a deeply meaningful tradition for both the school and the community—a way for young people to connect personally with the men and women who dedicated their lives to protecting the nation.

Students ranging from second through eighth grade visited Kings Daughters and Sons Care Center, The Lantern @ Kingsbrook Lifecare Center, and Woodland Oaks Health Care Facility. At each stop, they sang classic American tunes that many residents knew by heart. Their performances included stirring renditions of “God Bless America,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and “This Land Is Your Land,” along with well-loved service songs honoring each branch of the U.S. military. For the children, these songs were more than melodies; they were expressions of gratitude. For the veterans listening, they were reminders that their service continues to be valued by the younger generation.

Teachers and staff at Holy Family emphasized that the event reflects the school’s ongoing mission to teach students about the importance of service, empathy, and civic responsibility. Music teacher Julie Peacock, who helped lead and organize the visit, explained that the goal was not only to perform but to instill a deeper understanding of what Veterans Day represents.

“We wanted our students to understand that freedom isn’t free, and that it’s important to say thank you to those who’ve protected it,” Peacock said. “Singing for the veterans gave the children a tangible way to express their appreciation.”

Residents and staff at each facility welcomed the young performers with applause, warm smiles, and heartfelt comments. Many veterans were visibly moved by the children’s voices filling hallways and community rooms with songs they had known for decades. Some quietly joined in, mouthing the words or tapping their hands in rhythm, creating a shared moment between generations. For others, the presence of children—laughing, shyly waving, or standing proudly in their school uniforms—was a reminder of the communities and families they served to protect.

After each performance, students presented handmade cards decorated with red, white, and blue artwork, personal notes, and messages of thanks. The simple exchanges of handshakes, hugs, and conversations lingered long after the last song was sung. For many students, meeting a veteran face-to-face made the meaning of Veterans Day more real than any lesson from a textbook.

The visits have become a beloved Holy Family tradition, one that both students and veterans look forward to each year. As the children boarded buses to return to school, the sense of connection they left behind continued to echo throughout the facilities. Their performances served as a touching reminder that the spirit of unity, gratitude, and respect for those who served endures in Ashland—carried proudly by even its youngest citizens.