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CLEMMONS — As a salute to the troops, honor roll students at Ward Elementary School, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Western Forsyth decorated Veterans Day cards to give to family, friends, neighbors and teachers who have served in the armed forces.

The event took place in Ward’s cafeteria on Friday. As the students from various grades filed in, the excitement in the room was palpable.

Scott Ertl, of the Rotary Club, talked to the students first about Veterans Day, engaging them to learn if any of them had family or a relative who was serving or who had served in one of the military branches. Then, the students were given cards and coloring utensils to write messages inside.

Ward Principal Colin Tribby said when the Rotary Club approached him about it, the idea seemed like a no-brainer.

“We have community partners and Scott is a former staff member here,” Tribby said. “He has kept in good contact with us. He had this wonderful idea to reward kids for various things. This was one of the first ideas.”

Tribby indicated he liked how the promise of an ice cream party incentivized students to strive for the honor roll and that the event tied in recognition for veterans made it all the better. He said he hoped to continue offering various rewards for positive behavior and academic excellence to pair with methods of community outreach.

“We always try to make sure our students know that that service and giving back to the community is really important,” Tribby said. “We call ourselves the Lions. This is part of the pride.”

Although not a veteran himself, Tribby’s brother-in-law served.

“My daughter is in here right now writing him a card,” he said.

For fourth-grader Hwar Reh, the event was particularly meaningful. Reh’s brother, Ko, recently enlisted in the Marine Corps. On Friday, he made the card for his brother.

“We sent him off on Tuesday and we are going to see him again next month,” Reh said.

Hwar added that it was hard to say goodbye to his brother, but that he is proud of him.

His message to his brother was, “Thank you for your service Ko.”

He said he loves his brother very much and recognizes that he is serving for his family and for his country. Although he is still young, Reh mentioned that he might consider following in his brother’s footsteps one day.

On hand Friday to assist Ertl was fellow Rotary member Ron Uren.

Uren joined the Air Force in 1970. He spent time in San Antonio and Wichita Falls, Texas and Tuscon, Arizona. He served for 3.5 years, until he hurt his back and received a medical discharge.

Uren has lived in the Clemmons area since 1984 and has been in the Rotary Club for six years.

“My wife was the curriculum coordinator at Clemmons Elementary,” Uren said. “I have been very involved with kids throughout the years between this, that and the other.”

Seeing what the students were doing on Friday warmed Uren’s heart.

“It is absolutely phenomenal that they are showing respect to veterans,” Uren said.

As a veteran, he can attest to how these gestures are received.

“Very positively,” Uren said. “Especially in my era, because it was the Vietnam (War) era and it was not very publicized like some of the current Middle East conflicts. I am very glad they are getting the recognition that they deserve.”

He admits that being a veteran is not always easy, but that the benefits outweigh the hardships.

“It’s challenging on one hand, but on the other, knowing that my buddies and my comrades all signed on that dotted line, raised our right hands and swore allegiance is empowering,” Uren said.

Thanks to the efforts of the Ward Elementary students, several veterans received reassurance on Monday that their service meant something even to the youngest Americans.