Race Brook Students Honor Veterans

Every year Race Brook School holds an educational, memorable and heartfelt Veteran’s Day Assembly for its students and their families. It commemorates the Race Brook School community of veterans.

On Thursday, Nov. 10, each of the veterans was greeted by the dedicated Student Council Veterans Day Committee members who presented the veterans with a program, flag and pencils.

Thanks to the organizational skills of Janet Greenspan, the school was donned with red, white and blue stars and chains, hand- created by the third grade and 4th grade students.

In attendance were 35 veterans and their families. The veterans had front row seats around the perimeter of the gymnasium and just loved having their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with them in the gym. They were smiling from ear to ear.

Michael Gray, principal of Race Brook School, welcomed the invited guests. Each of the 35 veterans stood with pride as Gray introduced them one at a time to the school family. A beautiful rainbow of honor, bravery, pride, and love for our country was painted for the students who gazed at our veterans in awe of all their accomplishments.

A special commendation was read by Congresswoman Rosa De Laura’s aide, Aleks Morosky, at the assembly, followed by the fifth graders whose teachers, Ms. Granata, Mrs. Krajcik and Ms. Boken, had their students prepare a special descriptive journal entry on “What a Veteran Means to Me.”

Two students from each class read their parts with such warmth and dignity to our veterans.  The song, “Proud of Our Veterans” sung by the 4^th graders was an emotional moment, especially when at the conclusion of the song the students saluted all of our veterans and the entire audience gave them a standing ovation. Shortly thereafter, the guests were especially touched when each veteran was presented with their own cards that contained the journal entries.

Special guest, Commander E. Ross Wohlert, also a parent of two former Race Brook students, Maia and Ryan, showed a video on Navy Cargo Handling Operations that had the audience’s full attention The student council presented him with a special plaque for his participation at the assembly.

This year’s assembly featured a slide presentation that was organized and created by Pamela Galatioto,  Jo-Anne Escandon, 3^rd and 4^th grade teachers and student council advisors, along with Ms. Sherry, 3^rd grade long-term substitute.

Photos of the school’s community of veterans were embedded amidst an American flag backdrop and set to a medley of patriotic music. It was the most emotional and touching part of the assembly, viewing the faces of past and present veterans who have served and defended our country’s freedom.

At the conclusion of the assembly everyone in attendance sang acapella, “You’re a Grand Ole Flag”   with much enthusiasm! And last but not least, Gray assured the students that despite the lengthiness of the assembly, our veterans were deserving of every minute of their attention.

"The children were amazing – so well-behaved, interested and attentive," Gray said.

Following the assembly the veterans were invited to the classrooms to present age-appropriate experiences, and any items, such as medals, posters, etc.  they wanted to share with the students, as well as a question and answer period. Afterward, the students escorted their special guests to a breakfast that was prepared by the student council, staff and donations from Julia’s Bakery.