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Great Valley stages 1st veterans tribute
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The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp at nearby Weston Ranch High provided the colors for the special Veterans Day event at Great Valley. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT/The Bulletin

For the first time, Great Valley Elementary School put together a fitting tribute for Veterans Day on Thursday.
This special school-wide morning assembly featured plenty of the Stars and Stripes. Included were members of Karl Ross Post American Legion Post 16 along with the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp’s honor guards from nearby Weston Ranch High.
“Three of the four honor guards were once students at Great Valley,” said Connie Thompson, who is president of the school’s Parent Teacher Committee.
She and Tricia Rascon were the organizers behind this inaugural event. Justine Almanza, who is a special education teacher at the school, also helped out, performing the National Anthem.
Veterans Day is officially observed on Nov. 11, honoring military personnel who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Even though we all served in the military, we’re Americans, first,” said Henry Adame from the Stockton American Legion.
Karl Ross Post 16 at 2020 Plymouth Road will be conducting its own Veterans Day event today beginning at 1 p.m. Dignitaries who include Susan Eggman of the 13th Assembly District are expected to be on hand.
At Great Valley, each student received a miniature U.S. flag to mark the occasion. They also learned the significance of the “13-Fold” ceremony used for the Stars and Stripes on special occasions.
Adame noted that members from his Karl Ross Post 16, as part of their mission statement, take part in a variety of special events throughout the year.
“We’re also there for those in assisted living facilities,” he said.
Those from his American Legion, in addition, are involved in American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities, and the Red Cross events, to name a few.
Adam Daniels and Derek Lutz from the JROTC at Weston Ranch High were honored to be part of this first-ever Veterans Day event at their old school.
“(Great Valley) is much smaller than what I remembered,” said junior Daniels, who went from kindergarten-through- eighth- grade.
Ditto that for senior Derek Lutz, who attended Great Valley for seventh- and eighth- grade years.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.