Kids hungry to learn about veterans from veterans

Program 'desperately seeking' veterans to speak to Elgin-area students
Daily Herald
Elena Ferrarin
October 5, 2018

John Oliver, principal at Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin, said he's excited to have veterans back in November after they spoke in fourth- through sixth-grade classrooms last year. One thing is to learn about wartime in textbooks, but it's entirely different to ask questions of veterans who served in submarines, aircraft carriers and military support, he said.

A program that invites Elgin-area veterans to speak in classrooms around Veterans Day was so successful that many more volunteers are needed this year.

Don Eageny of Elgin was among veterans who spoke in November at Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin as part of the "Veterans Voices" program. More volunteers are needed this year.
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library

There have been about 130 requests for speakers for the "Veterans Voices" program and about 40 veterans have signed up so far, or about 20 short of the ideal, said librarian Tish Calhamer of Gail Borden Public Library. 

"People's lives tell stories, and this is a great way to teach kids what it means to serve and what Veterans Day is all about." Calhamer said.
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