Their strides might not have been as long as the adults in the crowd, but each step they took meant just as much.

Decked out in patriotic red, white and blue, children from Oak Hill Elementary School beamed with pride as they marched in their annual All Veteran’s Memorial Walk here last week.

The second graders, led by Cindy Nickless, have been doing the walk for more than 20 years. Ms. Nickless, who has been at the school for more than 30 years, started the tradition. It has grown each year into an annual event involving more than 500 people.

“We have an important job to show our children, not just teach them,” she said. “We do that by remembering our veterans.”

Ten children from the school began the program at the All Veteran’s Memorial by leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

During the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, F-15 Eagles flew over head, as they did their normal operations here. But to the participants of the celebration, it was as though someone had ordered a fly-by.

Fourth-grader Raeleesha Norris stood in front of the crowd and recited the poem, “I am your Flag.”

“Hearing the voice of the children honoring our veterans with the sound of freedom flying above us is the perfect setting,” said Florida State Representative Ray Sansom, of the aircraft flying overhead. “These children are our future.

“And the best way to plan for the future is to remember the past,” he said.

After a few songs and a dance routine -- again, briefly interrupted by the sound of the fighter jets flying over head -- Col. Dean Clemons made a bet with the children.

“You are the reason why veterans for the past 230 years have put on a uniform and gone to war and fought,” said the colonel, the 96th Air Base Wing vice commander. “If you ask your grandparents or parents why they put on the uniform, I will bet you a piece of bubble gum they would say to protect you.”

And almost as if on cue, the sound of fighter jets ceased. So participants could further honor the memory of those who served with a moment of silence.

The sound of Taps echoed through the memorial site and brought the ceremony to a close.

One day, some of the children who participated in the event may join the U.S. military. Each Veteran’s Day, Oak Hill students will also honor their service to the country.  

(Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)