Mrs. Cathy Foster’s Second Grade class pictured with Senior Master Sergeant Ed Guilliams from Little Rock AFB.

On November 11, 2009, Mrs. Cathy Foster’s second grade class at Beebe Elementary School not only celebrated Veterans Day, but learned the importance of Veterans. When pre-service teacher Carol Smith saw that many in the class did not know what Veterans Day was, she decided to bring in reinforcements. “These kids are our future” Smith says, “Many of them had no idea who a Veteran is or what they have done for our country. To me, that’s an important part of our history that they need to know.” Smith enlisted the help of her future father in-law, Senior Master Sergeant Ed Guilliams of Vilonia, Arkansas. Sr. Master Sgt. Guilliams is stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville where he works as a production supervisor for the C-130 in the 19th AMXS squadron.
Guilliams talked with the students about his 25 years in the Air Force and his passion for the C-130 aircraft. He told the students he chose to join the military because he wanted to serve his country and God. “It’s because you, and you, and you, and you, and your families, your friends, even the people that you don’t even know are worth it to me. You’re worth it.” He explained to the class that not everyone in the military carries guns or jumps from planes; but every job in the military is important. Guilliams also explained to the class that were it not for veterans they would not have the freedoms they do today and informed them that getting an education is a freedom that they receive because of Veterans.
Guilliams also gave each student a coin from one of the countries he has been stationed at. Some of the coins were from France, England, and Saudi Arabia. This was a small piece of Guilliams military career for each student to take home to remember their veterans by.
After speaking of his experiences in the Air Force, Guilliams asked the class if they knew of anything they could do for Veterans. While the class thought there was nothing they could ever do for a Veteran, Guilliams gave them hope. He instructed the students that they could pray. Veterans are always in need of prayers for safety and security.
Due to the impact of one veteran, Mrs. Foster’s class will take the history of Veterans Day with them for the rest of their lives. Veterans deserve our thanks every day, not just on November 11. So to all of the Veterans both active duty and retired I say “Thank you” for your years of dedication and selflessness to our country.