Honoring veterans is not a duty but a reason to celebrate at St. Paul the Apostle elementary school in Richardson.  This year the students will pay tribute to America's servicemen and -women at the 11th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Program on Wednesday, November 11 at 9 a.m.

"This is always such a great event," remarked Richardson resident Ann Marie Orscheln, mother of a St. Paul seventh-grader.  "It's a rare slice of Americana."

And this year will not disappoint.  The Richardson police and firefighters will lead the parade procession around the school campus, followed by the majestic-looking Knights of Columbus color guard.  City council members and honored veterans will follow in classic cars and sporty convertibles, while the students proudly hold banners that display names of friends and family that have served in the military.

The festivities continue in the school activity center with a program that includes spoken and musical tributes from the students as well as testimonials from the veterans.

Behind the scenes, teachers underscore the significance of our military men and women through creative writing and art assignments.  The students already have a sense of the enormous contribution these servicepeople have made to our country and our way of life by the time they meet face-to-face on Veterans Day.

The Veterans Day Parade and Program is sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 12021 and VFW Post 3530.  St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School educates children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Visitors who wish to attend the parade should plan to arrive at 8:50 am and park in the St. Paul church parking lot at 720 S. Floyd Road.  Questions may be directed to the school office at 972.235.3263.