LAKES: Program one for the ages

Words can't express how impressed I was with Lakes Middle School's Veterans program on Pearl Harbor Day. The students and staff treated us veterans and other guests like royalty from the moment we walked in the door.

We were greeted by a teacher who welcomed us to the program and then three teen girls made us name tags and escorted us to our seats. The band played, the choir sang and students performed dances from our younger days like the jitterbug. Historian Robert Singletary gave a fascinating talk on Farragut Naval Training Station and then the students presented a video they'd made honoring the veterans who were present.

When they said my name and asked me to stand up, I was touched as the students also stood and clapped for me. They did the same for each veteran whose name was called.

We were treated to a special breakfast in the school cafeteria. It was a nice breakfast and those working in the cafeteria were helpful and treated us like kings. When it was time to go, a teacher helped us out to the car.

Throughout the morning, I was impressed again and again by how well we were treated. I was impressed by the discipline those kids showed. The faculty was wonderful to us and the kids were extraordinarily good. It's a tribute to a community to have a school doing this kind of work. I was very glad I went.

SY THOMPSON

Post Falls