In honor of Veterans Day today, Grandview kindergarten classes presented Student Support Liaison Brian Hiatt with a special quilt to thank him for his 20 years of military service in the U.S. Air Force.
Before presenting the quilt, students talk about what the military is and what people who serve do for us. Students said they help our country by fighting for us to protect us and keep us safe. We say thank you to them for everything they sacrifice for the rest of us.
Students also learn what the different branches of the military are and the project ties in nicely to their unit on gratitude.
After thanking them for their beautiful gift, Hiatt talked to students briefly about his military experience and how that led him to the field of education after he retired from the military.
“I was a military leadership instructor for three years,” Hiatt said. “It made me realize I love teaching and helping people.”
Hiatt also learned to sew while in the service. He had three weeks of training to learn how to sew for one of his military jobs. Sewing duties included repairing parachutes, making liners for military airplanes, repairing cargo nets, and completing other custom projects. That background made this gift even more special to him.
“I know all the work put into every little stitch,” Hiatt said.
This year’s quilt squares were actually made by the kindergarten class of 2021-2022, who are now third grade students. This year’s class made squares that will be used in the quilt for next year’s recipient.
Kindergarten Teacher Holly Bright organized this project idea based off the Quilts of Valor program that uses homemade quilts to honor U.S. military veterans. Kindergarten students create squares that Bright’s mother turns into a quilt that is then presented to a veteran working in USD 490 on Veterans Day each year.