J.V Washam second-grade student Savannah Owens chose a picture of her great-grandfather, a World War II veteran, for the school’s Wall of Heroes. She isn’t sure of the exact nature of his service the war, but she knows he was brave. “He almost got shot one time, but he jumped – I think,” she said.

His is just one of hundreds of faces lining the walls at the school’s entrance, among them parents, firefighters, soldiers, television personalities and even some fictional superheroes. The wall is decorated for J.V. Washam’s “Here’s to our Heroes” book fair, that kicks off Friday, Nov. 12.

The parent volunteers in charge of this year’s book fair sent home paper American flags and paper stars with the students and asked them to write about their heroes. While many students chose modern-day role models, eight looked to the past and honored their grandparents and great-grandparents that served during World War II, sixty years or so before they were born.

Fourth-grader Lexi Crawford chose to honor her great-grandfather, who she calls ‘Bud.’

Isabella Ortiz, also a fourth grader, remembers her grandmother, who served as a nurse in the war. “I am very proud of her,” she said. For Isabella, her grandmother is her hero because “she was nice.”

While students chose their heroes for different reasons, they all share he same excitement seeing their relatives honored on the Wall of Heroes.

“It’s hard to say how I feel,” Lexi said. “I feel happy, excited and proud.”

Want to check it out?
The J.V. Washam “Here’s to our Heroes” book fair kicks off with a family night Friday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. and opens from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Nov. 15 through 19.

During the family night event, the American Legion Post 86, led by J.V. Washam, will perform a military drill and flag ceremony. The public is invited to attend.