Ravioli, patriotism on school menu

By Darci Jordan, Contributing Writer 5:58 PM Monday, November 16, 2009

Late afternoon on the eve of Veterans Day, I looked at the school lunch menu.

Ravioli, salad and breadsticks.

Not something Noah usually wants to eat.

I read the menu items to Noah and said, “Do you want to pack or buy your lunch?”

“Buy,” he replied.

“Really? It’s ravioli.”

“Yep! I have to show GG and Grandpa how to get through the lunch line,” he said.

I smiled to myself at his eagerness — and willingness to eat something he isn’t a big fan of — for the sake of his grandpas.

In addition to lunch, the students would be singing.

Always a performer, Noah couldn’t wait for his great-grandfathers to see him sing a patriotic song with his class in celebration of Veterans Day.

He practiced for days, “This is our flag, red, white and blue O”

When the big day finally arrived, I loaded up the family veterans: Great-Grandpa Paul, who served in the Army, and Great-Grandpa Charlie (aka “GG”), who served in the Navy during World War II.

We sat hungrily in our seats, while the kindergartners — clad in red, white and blue — marched onto the stage.

Following their patriotic performance, Noah promptly gathered up his clan of family members and lined us up for lunch.

“Now GG, when you get past the black line on the floor, you can pick your milk,” he said.

We sat at the VIP lunch tables and chatted while eating. (Shock-and-awe moment: Noah even ate his salad.)

It was an enjoyable afternoon — school lunches have definitely improved since my day —and Noah could not have been more proud to have his great-grandfathers in attendance.

Both of my boys are fascinated with the United States military.

Noah is awed by a person in fatigues, and Nick can’t get enough of the Air Force planes running patterns above our home.

Both of them don their miniature camouflage jackets and clothes with pride, saying they are “Army guys.”

Should they choose to follow in the footsteps of their great-grandfathers, I’ll be a proud, albeit tearful, fearful and prayerful, mother.

Many thanks to our Veterans and active military.

E-mail this contributing writer at Motherhoodcolumn@yahoo.com.

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