By Tamas Mondovics
“This year marks the third annual ‘Operation: Mulrennan Salutes’ and we are planning a bigger and better event that will be designed to allow all members of our community to show their support and gratitude to our nation’s veterans,” said Mulrennan Middle School seventh grade U.S. history teacher James W. Pope, who has organized the event since 2006.According to Pope, the 2009 event will be expanded to encourage participation from all Area 6 schools, which includes 33 schools in Plant City, Dover, Valrico and Lithia, and community members. “This year, several activities will lead up to the Tuesday, November 10 event and will provide opportunities for everyone in the community to participate in the Veterans Day celebration,” Pope said.The week of November 2 – 6 will be designated as “Armed Forces Celebration Week.” Students, parents and staff members of Mulrennan will be encouraged to decorate T-shirts and/or wear the colors of the different branches of the armed forces to commemorate their history and to honor their service to our nation. All schools in Area 6 and throughout the county are invited to send a decorated shirt as a way to participate in this year’s event. Schools are welcome to send multiple shirts honoring each of the five branches to be displayed throughout the campus during the week of Veterans Day. From Monday, November 2 – Tuesday, November 10, Mulrennan will also be collecting items and gift cards that will be donated to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes as a partnership with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Charities’ “Operation Patriot.” Anyone wishing to donate can drop them off at the school from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Finally, on Tuesday, November 10, faculty, staff and students will participate in a special morning assembly beginning at 9 a.m. The special event will culminate with all of Mulrennan gathering in the front of the school to form a living American flag and to sing the National Anthem. Sixth grade students, parents and homeroom teachers are asked to wear white; seventh grade students, parents and homeroom teachers are asked to wear red; eighth grade students, parents and homeroom teachers are asked to wear blue and guests can wear any of the colors above.Mulrennan Middle School is located at 4215 Durant Rd. in Valrico. It is in need of extra large solid colored T-shirts in red, white and blue so students or other guests in attendance can wear them to form the flag. For more information or to RSVP to the event, please contact Pope at 951-6560 or jw.pope@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
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