Flags Honoring Veterans Grace John Jay HS Front Lawn

CROSS RIVER, NY — The front lawn of the John Jay High School will display 60 American flags through Nov. 23.

The Field of Honor, a project of the JJ for Vets Club, was dedicated Thursday, Nov. 10, during a ceremony attended by school and local officials and others.

Club members Daniel Gordon and Steven Palmesi spearheaded the Field of Honor.

“Over the years we have played bingo with veterans at our club’s visits to veterans hospitals, helped with yard clean up at veterans’ homes, distributed care packages to veterans and helped at our club’s baseball clinic fundraiser,” Gordon said.

Principal Steven T. Siciliano said that the flags represent everyone.

“We are also an experiment,” he said. “Despite our imperfections, we will always have more than unifies us than divides us.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald said he was thankful to the veterans who served the country.

“Veterans continue to give back to our community,” he said. “Every day is the appropriate day to thank a veteran.”

County Legislator Francis Corcoran, an alumni of the high school, said he has had the honor of giving out medals to Vietnam veterans on behalf of the county.

“Veterans have fought for the freedom we enjoy today including the peacefull transfer of power,” he said.

“All of us should do the right thing and stand up for what you believe in,” Corcoran said, “but those who served have a special place in our hearts.”

Organizers said the flags were available for purchase.

People purchased 150 of the flags, raising $1,111. The money will be donated to Montrose Veterans Hospital and the VFW in Katonah.

Photo credit: Katonah-Lewisboro School District.