Ninety-six-year-old Joe Maisevich of Water Oak parachuted into Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
The World War II Army Air Corps member participated in a flag-raising ceremony Friday morning at Villages of Elementary at Lady Lake. It was the closing day of American Education Week which had seen a local veteran raise the flag with children each day.
Maisevich also led the children in the Pledge of Allegiance during their morning newscast shown throughout the school.
Maisevich was wheeled through the school by Al Knight, also of Water Oak, who has served as a guardian on Villages Honor Flight.
Both said it is important to learn about patriotism.
The fifth-graders who raised the flag this morning – Mason Simmons, Fabian Briones and Ashley were all business when they raised both the American and Florida flags in front of the school, under Maisevich’s watchful eye.
The flag was flown at half-staff Friday in memory of President John F. Kennedy who as assassinated Nov. 22, 1963.
Students are being encouraged over the Thankgiving break to buy a card for a service member now actively serving.
