From Track to Tribute: Cheraw’s March of Honor Raises Thousands for Veterans
- Anne Boswell Taylor
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
~Anne Boswell
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
The small pebbles of the track at the Cheraw School makes background noise along with a loudspeaker blasting inspiring music as students, teachers, staff, and community members walk making loops, talking, laughing and enjoying the cool Colorado morning air.
But this walk is perhaps a little different, or how it got its start anyway.
Language Art teacher Dr. Timothy Snyder is also a Veteran, and Adjutant/Finance Officer for the La Junta American Legion Post 9. Three years ago, the post was worried they would not be able to place a wreath at every Veterans grave during the annual Wreaths Across America.
So, Snyder simply asked the school's administration if they could donate some funds to buy a few wreaths.
That request launched something even bigger.
Cheraw Principal Mark Schroeder gathered the Student Council to organize the "March of Honor," where students would fundraise collecting two dollars for every lap walked around the track. The first year, students were able to purchase more than 300 wreaths, but in that short time, it's grown.
Walking alongside Dr. Snyder, he proudly announced this year's effort collected enough money for 3,417 laps. "...if memory serves me," he added. His memory wasn't far off, in fact the number, according to the school district was actually 3,487. In a pre-walk talk to the students, Principal Schroeder estimated that would be 695 miles, like walking to Houston, Texas. The students raised $6,975. The staff recognized Andi Canaday for receiving the top donations and to Olivia Martinez for receiving the second highest donations during the fundraiser.
The third grade class raised the most donations as a class, with first grade coming in second place and fourth grade earning third place.
On the walk, as we completed our third lap, Snyder added that it's not just about raising the money, while important, it's about more than that. He beamed as he thought about what he had just said. Older siblings teaching younger siblings how to respectfully place the wreath, to place it, take one step back and repeat the Veteran's name aloud.
"Once you do it, it really connects you to history to those veterans and their families."
Giving credit where credit is due, this retired superintendent, now teacher, volunteer and Veteran gave a big shoutout to the Cheraw 4H club, families, and the community for helping.
There is more than just raising the money, and walking. In addition to placing the wreaths on the graves, they must be removed properly in about two weeks when they start to brown and wither.
Service to one's country has many different faces.
“It’s all designed to remember, respect, honor, teach, it’s the true spirit of Americanism.” Snyder said.
“And they’re playing great music too!” Snyder remarked as we passed the loud speaker creating a patriotic and community-oriented ambiance. High school students helped with keeping track of the laps, marking off purple dots on a big piece of paper as walkers passed the station.
Who knew this would turn into such a meaningful and important event to the school, and the local community.
“This is the way life unfolds, you think you’re just taking a small step in a particular direction, you’re not even remotely in tune with really how this could develop, and it has been so heart warming so inspiring, uh to see where this has gone to, and it’s not the money it’s not the wreaths, it’s what happens with that effort.”
“They are taking part in something that is bigger than themselves.”
Don't stop. That's what Snyder envisions for other schools in the Arkansas Valley. He hopes this "March of Honor" is contagious.
“We would love to see other schools and organizations catch this vision as well.”
Fourth grade teacher Kayla Bay's class started the morning off with a demonstration of how to properly fold a flag. Bay told the third graders in attendance that this would be their duty next year. The fourth grade class at Cheraw is in charge of raising and lowering the flag at the school each day.
(photos of students are compliments of Cheraw School District and used with permission)
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