Members of the Lancaster (Pa.) Chapter visited local schoolchildren in November as part of the chapter's Adopt-a-Kid/Adopt-a-Vet program. The program, which began in 2001, is held twice a year, in the fall around Veterans Day and in the spring around Memorial Day, with the goal of talking to students in fourth through sixth grades about “what a veteran is, what it takes to be one, what it takes to serve the country, and what an honor and privilege it is to serve,” explains former Army Maj. Dr. John Gareis, program manager and chapter president.

Six members of the Lancaster Chapter were among the 10 local veterans who visited Mountville Elementary School Nov. 7 to speak with sixth-grade students and Central Manor Elementary on Nov. 8 and 9 to speak to fifth- and sixth-grade students. Four are in the above photo: Gareis (far left); Capt. Christopher Mattson, USMC (Ret), second from left; Lt. Col. David W. Shelton, USAF (Ret), third from right; and Lt. Col. David Basile, USA (Ret), second from right.

For each event, the veteran volunteers visited the classes in pairs so the students could be divided into two smaller groups. The veterans spent about an hour telling the students what it's like to serve in the military, sharing experiences they had and discussing the importance of what the military has done to maintain the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

“We tell them stories about what it's like to be in the service and the sacrifices involved," Gareis says, "but we also try to explain that it's an honor to serve and very satisfying doing something for your country.”

Following the presentation, students asked the veterans questions they had prepared in advance with the help of their teachers.

The veterans then returned to Mountville and Central Manor Elementary Schools Nov. 15 and 19, respectively, for an assembly with the whole school, where students sang each military service song, gave presentations, and thanked the veterans.

Gareis says he believes veterans have an obligation to let the younger generation know what it's like to serve.

“With an all-volunteer military, we have so few people shouldering so much responsibly,” he explains. “And in our area, there's very little visible evidence of the military, so this is the only real exposure [the students] get. It's very beneficial to the students as well as the veterans involved.”