I haven't been to an elementary school assembly for a long time, but the assembly I went to at Cougar Run Elementary on Nov. 9 was a fun and patriotic one to attend.

The highlight of the Veterans Day-themed assembly was the school's presentation of a check for $2,000 to Jeff Alvis and Bob Steinle, on behalf of the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument. Cougar Run students raised the money entirely from loose change they brought to the school throughout October, said assistant principal Jeanne Ulrich.

The proposed monument is set to be located between the Highlands Ranch Library and Civic Green Park on the 9000 block of Ridgeline Blvd. The fundraising goal for the monument is $200,000, and the committee currently has raised $70,543, according Jenn Garber, community relations coordinator with the Metro District of Highlands Ranch.

A groundbreaking date will be determined when a substantial amount of money has been raised.

You can read more about Cougar Run's fundraising effort and the monument by clicking here.

Alvis, chairman of the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument committee, expressed thanks to the school at the assembly and told them Cougar Run Elementary Class of 2007-08 would be added to a plaque on the future monument.

"This is your monument as well," Alvis said. "You guys are awesome. Thank you so much."

The assembly also featured patriotic songs from the school's choir and slideshow presentations from students and family members.

Sixth-grader Nick Roberts talked about a recent trip he took to Washington, D.C. He showed slides of Washington Monument.

"Thank you to all of our veterans who have fought or who are fighting," Roberts said after his presentation.