Oklahoma Grade School Honors Fallen Hero

Tuesday, May 29th 2007, 4:12 pm

By: News On 6

An entire Oklahoma town pays tribute to a fallen hero. The town of Inola got behind the efforts of a group of grade school kids to honor one of their own who gave his life in Iraq. A roadside bomb took the life of Private First Class Travis Grigg almost two years ago, but his hometown's elementary school found a way to keep his name and spirit of service alive. The News On 6â€™s Heather Lewin reports on how this tribute is more than just remembering one soldier.

After weeks of warm-ups and dance practice, directed by music teacher Julie Bryant, about 500 Inola Elementary students were ready to strut their stuff at Stampede 2007. The annual event gives the kids a chance to perform and have a good time, but this year Bryant decided it would mean something more.

"This year we wanted to honor Travis' memory, he was killed in November of 2005, he was one of our hometown boys," said music teacher Julie Bryant.

Twenty-four year-old Private First Class Travis Grigg had only been in Iraq about a month when he was killed in a roadside bombing near Baghdad. The young Inola man was following a history of family military service, and his death devastated the small town. Bryant was looking for a way to pay tribute to Travis' memory, and she saw how they could do it while helping other soldiers in need.

"After I saw your story on Channel 6 that the Blue Star Mothers needed help with donations we decided to make that our project," Bryant said.

The kids collected items to fill Freedom Boxes sent out by the military moms to those serving overseas, they then dedicated their performances in an event called "Tribute to Travis," raising more than $1,600.

"I think it was very good, because we're lucky for the soldiers over there fighting for our freedom," said one Inola student.

"It was great for us to do that for him," another student said.

"I just think it's really neat to think about who's gonna get those and what they're going to think about a small town in Oklahoma being able to send them a little bit of love from home," said Bryant.

The school delivered its donation to a grateful group of Blue Star Moms over the Memorial Day weekend. If youâ€™d like to donate to the Blue Star Mothers you can find more information on their website, www.okbluestarmothers.org.

Click here for a list of Oklahoma servicemen and women who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Watch the video: Elementary Students Raise Money For Our Troops

Related stories:

11/16/2005 An Oklahoma Soldier Killed In Iraq

11/24/2005 Body Of An Inola Soldier Killed In Iraq, Returns Home

11/26/2005 Oklahoman Soldier Laid To Rest In Inola On Saturday