Patriotism filled the halls of Boundary County schools this week as students, teachers and community members came together to honor the community’s veterans for their service and sacrifice. 

Observed each year on Nov. 11, Veterans Day recognizes the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The day originated as Armistice Day in 1919, marking the end of World War I, and was later expanded to honor veterans of all wars and peacetime service. 

Across the Boundary County School District, each school hosted its own tribute. 

At Bonners Ferry High School, students lined the hallways holding flags and signs, cheering and calling out words of thanks as local veterans made their way to the library. There, students and guests shared refreshments and conversation, giving the youth a chance to personally thank the men and women who have served. 

Throughout the day, Boundary County Middle School students gathered along the sidewalk in front of the school, waving signs and American flags to express their appreciation. Passing veterans were met with applause, smiles and heartfelt shouts of “thank you for your service.”  

At Naples Elementary, students welcomed veterans to join them for lunch. The cafeteria featured a “missing man table,” also known as the “fallen comrade table” or POW/MIA table. This table is a tradition found in military dining halls, ceremonies, and often in public places like restaurants around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The table is meant to remind attendees of those fallen, missing or imprisoned and to ensure they are not forgotten.  Before lunch, the students stood in a large circle in the cafeteria, each holding a small flag, while a presentation took place. 

Also honoring local veterans was Mt. Hall Elementary School which held a Veterans Day assembly.  

Following the assembly, several veterans and their children gathered outside to take photos in front of the American flag. 

Afterward, Boundary County School Board Vice Chair Teresa Rae visited each classroom at Mt. Hall to help students learn more about Veterans Day. 

Rae spoke about the large number of veterans in the community, which she described as “phenomenal.”   

“We average almost 10% of our graduating class, up to five years after graduation, are joining the service,” Rae said. “The going rate in the country is less than 2%.”   

A special assembly was held Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Valley View Elementary School in honor of Veterans Day. Jacob Garrison, an eighth-grade science teacher at Boundary County Middle School and a U.S. Navy veteran, served as master of ceremonies. 

Each class took part in the program, performing a song or poem as a tribute to America’s veterans and their service. 

“What is a veteran? What is Veterans Day about? Here are my thoughts on this,” Garrison spoke to the students and guests. “People who have served in the United States military, at whatever time period they served, for whatever reasons that took them there, they were there to make the world a better place. Not just for our families, but for everybody’s families, for people we didn’t know. Not just for American people, but for people all over the world. That’s what veterans do: they serve the people who work to make the world a better place.”  

Naples Elementary principal Robin Merrifield said it’s important for students to learn the meaning behind Veterans Day and to understand the role service plays in preserving freedom. 

“I feel like they need to understand the history of our country and how we continue to protect that history, and that it just doesn’t happen automatically. It requires people to step up and serve,” Merrifield said. 

She added that the school hopes to see even more local veterans participate in future observances. 

“We would love to see every veteran in the community come and join us,” she said. 

    Bonners Ferry High School Veterans Day hallway walk 2025
  

    Boundary County Middle School students on Veterans Day 2025
  

    Jacob Garrison speaking at Valley View Elementary School Veterans Day assembly
  

    Mt. Hall Elementary School Veterans Day assembly