Fifth grade students at the Wiscasset Middle school presented a program honoring veterans while educating other students on why Veterans’ Day is observed.

The fifth graders lined the stage, each with a special bit of history to share. They told the story of how veterans’ day observances have changed over the years. It began as the nation’s way of recognizing the veterans who served in World War I At the end of World War I, in 1918, at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month the Armistice was signed with Germany. In 1938 November 11 became a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day.

In 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill into law replacing Armistice Day with Veterans’ Day to honor all veterans of all wars.

Although the holiday had always been scheduled on November 11, in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, it was moved to the fourth Monday of October. It soon became apparent that November 11 was a date of historic significance for many Americans, so in 1978 it returned to November 11.

The students also gave a brief history of the Memorial Day poppy. Poppy day began with a poem written by Canadian Army Colonel John McRae during World War 1. It was first published in 1915 in a British magazine called "Punch," The poem expressed his grief over the many soldiers who died on the Flanders battlefields, located between western Belgium and northern France. The poem, titled "In Flanders Field" tells how poppies grow among the rows and rows of graves on Flanders Field.

"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,

The students told the veterans and their fellow students that the Memorial Day poppy is a way to honor those who died serving their country. The ceremony also included a Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, singing the Star Bangled Banner, and concluded with the playing of taps.

Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Gulf War, and the Kuwait War were seated in the front row.