With school in the review mirror, most kids view Memorial Day weekend as the official start to summer but for one Mexico High School student, the holiday weekend served as an opportunity.

Kaitlin Rose just completed her junior year at Mexico High School and used the Memorial Day holiday to thank those who have served this country. On Monday Rose sang the National Anthem as part of the Memorial Day service at the Missouri Veterans’ Home in Mexico.

“I’m just very thankful for this opportunity,” Rose told the Ledger after the performance.

Monday wasn’t the first time Rose has performed for the Veterans at the home. Rose also had a connection to the home through a community service club she belongs to and was asked if she would sing the Star Spangled Banner at the program. The decision was easy for Rose.

“I have a grandfather who is a Veteran and I love seeing everybody here,” Rose said. “It’s nice seeing all of the smiling faces and they really enjoy hearing us sing and dance. I just wanted to come and give that experience again.”

Rose said in history classes she has learned about the different conflicts but putting faces to those stories can put it into a different perspective. Rose said it’s important to remember those who have passed.

“We’ve learned a lot in history class and just hearing about the inhumanity of a lot of this stuff and they were just willing to fight through it and this is why we’re free today,” Rose said.

Several people made comments about Rose’s rendition of the national anthem including Missouri Veterans’ Home Director of Nursing Patrick Stevenson. After Rose sang Stevenson said, “She’s done this for us here before and it just gets sweeter every time.”