Over this past weekend the Warriors’ Watch Riders, in partnership with Rolling Thunder and the Friends of the Forgotten, took part in four “Teach The Children” rides, where we took our motorcycles to an elementary school and presented that school with POW/MIA flags.

One of these schools was the Manor Elementary School in Levittown, Pa. These presentations and the ceremonies that go along with them are always thrilling and emotional for us. We get a true sense of passing on our sense of recent history to the kids, and we often learn from them, too.

The children of Manor Elementary School are super! We could not ask for a finer example of young people who are aware of the military men and women who fought and died for the freedoms they enjoy. These young people have a true sense of that, as illustrated below.

Following are WONDERFUL essays that were read to us at the event on Friday, November 7, at the school. These were written by:

Jacqueline Colvin, Grade 4

Matthew McDaniel, Grade 4

Baillie Poulton, Grade 4

Ninad Mahajan, Grade 4

Dante Sannelli, Grade 4

and Ahaj H. Shroff, Grade 5

To those children we of the Warriors’ Watch Riders say “Thank you!” and we salute you, and we wish you a bright and prosperous future in a FREE NATION.

Here are their wonderful essays:

Veteran’s Day is an American holiday honoring military veterans. United States president Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed on Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. An act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day, the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.

By Jacqueline Colvin
Manor Elementary School – Grade 4.

Veterans are important to our country because they have kept us safe from terrorists who wanted to hurt us and make us afraid. They protected our rights so that we can pray how we want and have freedom of speech. They helped people in other countries set up new governments and schools so that those people could be strong and remain peaceful. The veterans helped the people in those countries so that they would be our friends – not our enemies.
Veterans made many sacrifices. When they went to other countries to fight, they gave up the good food that they ate in American. They also left behind their comfortable homes and favorite things – their families. A lot of veterans also left their jobs and did not go to college because they chose to fight for our country. The biggest sacrifice that many veterans gave up was their lives. They died so that we could be safe.

By Matthew McDaniel
Manor Elementary School – Grade 4

United States Veterans are probably the most treasured asset to our country. They are our greatest example of dedication and self sacrifice for the greater good of our country. They are the best of our nation and show all of us what true patriotism is because they risk their lives for our freedoms.
Many veterans sacrifice so much for our great country. Countless soldiers gave their lives while others came home without their arms, legs, eyesight and even hearing. Many came home with scars, some you can see and many that you can’t. They leave their families and homes to fight in far away places that most of them have never heard of before. They did this for our freedom and they love of our country. God Bless them all!!! Thank you.

By Baillie Poulton
Manor Elementary School – Grade 4

Veterans are important to our country. This is because they travel to different places and fight for America. Some of them also stay in our country and defend it from enemies. They also set a good example of patriotism. Without veterans, America would not be safe. This is why veterans are important to our country.
All of the sacrifices that veterans have made have been very important. For example, to be a veteran you must leave your family and friends behind. You must leave your hobbies, your interests, and your social life behind too. All of the good food and shelter must be left as well. You will have to walk miles in the hot, dry, sun and will have limited water and food. When you come back from war, any injuries will take a long time to heal. Some veterans also give their life for the country. You will have to make a lot of sacrifices to be a veteran.
To me, veterans are the most important people in the world. They are the hardest working people. They fight and defend for American and make very important sacrifices. I am proud of them! Thank you!!.

By Ninad Mahajan
Manor Elementary School – Grade 4

I am very thankful to live in the United States of America. I get to enjoy a lot more freedoms than any other country. There are many people who fought in wars for me to have those freedoms. They are called “Veterans”. Veterans are very import to our country. Not only for the sacrifice they gave to protect us in foreign lands but they do so much for us there at home in the United States.
I know a very special Veteran, his name is Vince, and he is my dad. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Though my dad was a Marine during “peace time”, he did a lot to help our country. He was sent to Washington State to fight a raging forest fire. His platoon was dropped in the middle of the forest to dig fire trenches, put out hot spots, and back burn dangerous areas. While doing these duties they got trapped on the mountain by a spreading wall of fire and suffered from extreme heat and smoke filled air. Though they were in danger they stayed and finished their job so the fire wouldn’t spread to civilian homes. This is just one story of many that you may hear about a veteran and how they selflessly helped our country. Veterans should be thanked, respected and always remembered. So I would like to say “Thank You” to all of you… especially Dad. Thank you.

By Dante Sannelli
Manor Elementary School – Grade 4

Veterans Day is a day when we remember and honor the thousands of men and women who have laid down their lives in order to protect ours. It is celebrated on the 11th of November because it was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the Armistice was signed to end World War I.
Veterans, Can you imagine how important they are to our country? Veterans are soldiers who have served our country in all five divisions of our military- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. From the beginning of the American Revolutionary war in 1775 to the Iraqi Freedom war that started in 2003, veterans have fought in wars and protected us. Without a famous veteran named George Washington, we might still be ruled by the British Empire. Veterans all throughout history have shaped the peaceful and amazing planet we live in today. The most important thing they do is they protect our homeland from enemy forces, whether the enemy is from outside or within our homeland.
Every single veteran has made more sacrifices when they were in duty than most people make in their entire lives, but in my opinion their greatest sacrifice is to give their life in battle, so that we can keep ours. Most veterans stay in duty until they pass away or are disabled. There are other sacrifices they have made for our freedom, like staying away from their families when they are at war, not being there when their kids are growing up, leaving behind their jobs and careers, some have even returned handicapped or paralyzed and they have to spend the rest of their lives depending upon others for support. Almost all of our privileges and freedoms are because of their sacrifices.
Most veterans, when they pass away are buried with honor in the Arlington cemetery near Washington, D.C. As their service is so selfless, I would say they are the real heroes in this world. Veterans are very important to every nation and their sacrifices are unforgettable. I salute the veterans. Thank You.

By Ahaj H. Shroff
Manor Elementary School – Grade 5