Loren "Butch" Slayton ~ VietNam ~ Harold's son and Loren's namesake.
Two brothers from Lincoln, Illinois,
Harold and Loren Slayton,
entered WWII on the "buddy system".
Harold Slayton was wounded in battle resulting in shrapnel in his chest.
Loren Slayton died on a battle field. He was 21 years old.
Their parents, William and Pearl Slayton,
received two telegrams on the same day.
Two teachers, Andrea Tibbs and Laura Slayton Phillips,
are related to the Slaytons.
In May of 1993, I asked my students,
"Why do we have Memorial Day off school?"
The class was silent.
Finally, one child raised his hand and said,
"Because that is the day the pool opens for summer?"
The class was given the homework assignment
of defining the word "veteran."
The entire teaching staff created a school, home, community project.
It was named "Veterans for a Change" by
Social Studies teacher, Gordon Lanning.
Part of this project was designed to help children
learn "service to others"
by bringing in "change"
that would be donated to the local veteran groups
for veterans in the Illinois V.A. Hospitals.
Specifically Danville and Quincy, Illinois V.A. Hospitals.
Partnerships with the wonderful local veteran groups
allowed the children
a golden opportunity
to be taught in the classrooms by veterans each year.
For the past 7 years,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and this year '99
the staff
has advocated patriotism
and teaching children
the meaning of the word, veteran.
This project was designed to
make the students "aware" of why we have our freedom.
It enlightens the young people
to the facts that
many have sacrificed for our precious freedom.
To date 1999:
The students have donated over $12,500.00 in "change" to veterans.
This webmaster, Laura Slayton, no longer teaches in public school.
I no longer spearhead this annual event each October.
As of May 1999, I work for the State of Illinois.
The students and staff of West Lincoln-Broadwell School
Lincoln, Illinois
continue this month-long project
Veterans for a Change