LIVERMORE FALLS – What is a veteran?

That’s what veteran Donald Simoneau asked fourth-graders from the Livermore Elementary School Tuesday.

Children raised their hands and waited to be called on to give their answers: “Someone who serves in the military,” “Someone who served in the Army,” “People who served in the war and came back,” and “In order to be a veteran, you have to be in the Army and know how to handle a gun.”

When it was Nicholas Daggett’s turn, he said, “It’s a celebration to honor people who died and served in the war.”

Prior to the question being asked, a color guard of veterans – John Dube, Francis Therrien, Laurent Brochu and Palmer Hebert – marched forward. They posted the colors – also known as the U.S. flag, the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag, and the Maine flag – for all to see at the American Legion Hall.

Normand Chabot, commander of the Legion’s Post 10, led the children and their teachers in the Pledge Allegiance.

Simoneau had given the children a few tips on proper flag etiquette, and each one followed those instructions, including placing their right hand over their heart during the pledge.

Simoneau continued asking the students questions.

What are some of the rights people in the United States have because of veterans?

Again hands went up and the children gave their answers when called upon:

“Freedom from the British.” “Freedom from slavery.” “Freedom to vote.” “Freedom of speech.” “Freedom of liberty.” “Freedom to live in our own home.” “Freedom of religion.”

“Freedom comes at a cost and a responsibility,” Simoneau said.

A film strip that included a girl named Lizzie, who was about the children’s age, showed the young girl learning from her grandfather, a Marine veteran, that Veterans Day means more than a day off from school.

Among the facts learned were that there are 25 million veterans in the United States, that there are 150,000 veterans in Maine, that the holiday began as Armistice Day in 1918, and that servicemen and women could earn the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Before the program ended, children were given an assignment to go home and find a veteran and thank him or her.