Veterans Week
The Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) annually honors veterans and active military members through a comprehensive Veterans Week celebration across all 67 schools. This district-wide tribute includes a variety of heartfelt activities such as parades, student-written poems and essays, breakfasts, performances, and opportunities for veterans to engage directly with students.
The district also hosts community-wide events, such as the Veterans and Military Appreciation Celebration at Legacy Stadium. This event features a luncheon for veterans and military families, live music, and interactive exhibits, including a Chinook helicopter display and Air Force STEM activities.
Through these diverse and engaging activities, CCSD fosters a deep sense of appreciation and respect for those who have served, providing students with meaningful opportunities to connect with and honor veterans in their community.
Here's a look back at our 2024 Veterans Week Celebrations
Veterans & Military Appreciation Stories
![Tony Drees, honoree, wrapped in Quilt of Valor]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731592982/cherrycreekschoolsorg/cfuwvd5xb2qk4jqaijeh/Screenshot-10-10at3616AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731592982/cherrycreekschoolsorg/cfuwvd5xb2qk4jqaijeh/Screenshot-10-10at3616AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731592982/cherrycreekschoolsorg/cfuwvd5xb2qk4jqaijeh/Screenshot-10-10at3616AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731592982/cherrycreekschoolsorg/cfuwvd5xb2qk4jqaijeh/Screenshot-10-10at3616AM.png","width":938}])
2024 Veterans and Military Appreciation Celebration
Tony Drees is an Adaptive Athlete Champion, Purple Heart Amputee, a motivational speaker, and the father to graduates of Cherry Creek Schools. In 2018, Drees’ leg was amputated after his barracks was struck by the “Deadliest Scud Missile of the Iraqi War.”
![Students walking in parade]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731592377/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hgzlj9cus7wqkpaxelmf/Screenshot-11-30at5928AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731592377/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hgzlj9cus7wqkpaxelmf/Screenshot-11-30at5928AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731592377/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hgzlj9cus7wqkpaxelmf/Screenshot-11-30at5928AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1731592377/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hgzlj9cus7wqkpaxelmf/Screenshot-11-30at5928AM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731592377/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hgzlj9cus7wqkpaxelmf/Screenshot-11-30at5928AM.png","width":1348}])
CCSD community celebrates Veterans Week
“This is the time we hear ‘thank you for your sacrifice’ and ‘thank you for your commitment to servicing the United States of America.’ It's a time where you dive a little deeper and it means a lot to vets,” said veteran Kevin Childs.
![Man in army uniform helps little girl climb on helicopter]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731592109/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hzeja8az36lqzczlwhry/Screenshot-09-14at0512PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731592109/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hzeja8az36lqzczlwhry/Screenshot-09-14at0512PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731592109/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hzeja8az36lqzczlwhry/Screenshot-09-14at0512PM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1731592109/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hzeja8az36lqzczlwhry/Screenshot-09-14at0512PM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731592109/cherrycreekschoolsorg/hzeja8az36lqzczlwhry/Screenshot-09-14at0512PM.png","width":1500}])
13th Annual Veterans and Military Appreciation Celebration
Legacy Stadium was packed with veterans, military members, students, families, and neighbors on Saturday, September 9, for the 13th annual Veterans and Military Appreciation Celebration.
![Veteran Erv Krueger wrapped in his quilt alongside family]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731591653/cherrycreekschoolsorg/px5grxsayzybgglgwxef/Erv-19-cropped.jpg","width":200}])
Cherry Creek community veterans honored in Quilt of Valor ceremonies
This past Friday, March 3rd, eight ceremonies were held to honor veterans within our Cherry Creek Schools community by the Quilts of Valor Foundation at Fox Hollow Elementary as a special tribute to their decades of service
![Students holding Hero's Puppy for Life]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731591470/cherrycreekschoolsorg/en9h0hec1id7wqqoqklh/IMG_5996-cropped.jpg","width":200}])
Four heroes receive puppies thanks to West MS students
It’s been a tradition at West Middle School for seven years to help raise funds for puppies to give to veterans. The puppy is provided to help veterans come back to the life they lost due to trauma while serving our country and communities. The partnership with Hero’s Puppy for Life has blossomed over the years.