The Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial became a classroom for Pittsburg sixth graders for the 2007 Veterans Day observance. The event was held on Friday, Nov. 9, and was planned to both honor veterans and also to teach area students about the importance of service to their nation.

Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant said one of the purposes of the memorial has always been education. Bringing the students, the veterans and their families together for the Veterans Day ceremony, Bryant said, was a great way to teach the next generation about the sacrifices that are needed to preserve democracy.

In addition to Bryant, speakers included Lt. Col. Scott Craig, who talked to the students about the history of the color guard and gave them a brief lesson on flag etiquette. Craig also shared a brief history of the cannon salute and the playing of "Taps." The Pittsburg State University ROTC provided the color guard and fired the cannon for the traditional salute. Pittsburg State student Will Koehler played "Taps."

Retired USD 250 teacher and administrator Joe Bournonville was the master of ceremonies and Assistant to the President Howard Smith gave a brief keynote address. Smith praised the veterans for their willingness to "put aside their own plans - their hopes and their dreams - to serve the country they loved." He pointed out to the students that each engraved paver in the memorial represented "not only a soldier or sailor, but also a family that made a sacrifice so the democracy we too often take for granted could continue to flourish."

As the ceremony concluded, the Pittsburg Middle School Select Girls Choir sang a medley of patriotic songs while veterans who were being honored with the installation of new pavers made their way out of the amphitheater to the new pavers on the plaza area above. One hundred and twenty eight new pavers were dedicated at the ceremony.