Celebrating Veterans In Rocky Point

MILLER PLACE-ROCKY POINT, NY - From Rocky Point School District: In honor of Veterans Day, schools throughout the Rocky Point School District took time to celebrate and honor local servicemen and women for their bravery and service to the country.

Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School second-grade students gathered in the school’s gymnasium to host a special Veterans Day celebration for the special veterans in the students’ lives. After the nations’ colors were presented by the member of the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249, the veterans in attendance were individually introduced and presented with a paper medal of honor. Additionally, they learned about the evolution of the trumpet and the part the bugle plays in the military from a member of Post 6249.

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School and Rocky Point High School also each hosted moving Veterans Day assembly programs. At JAE, members of the fifth-grade select chorus “High Notes” sang several patriotic songs, student representatives read original essays and presented the attendees with tokens of their appreciation.

At Rocky Point High School, the assembly featured four veterans and a presentation of the colors by Post 6249. Richard Kitson, the president Vietnam Veterans of America, Suffolk County Chapter, spoke about his service as a mortarman within the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and his instrumental efforts to build the Vietnam War Memorial on Bald Hill. Dr. Frank Lunati, a young doctor who was drafted into the army due to the need of his profession during the start of the Vietnam War, spoke about this service and efforts during the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang, which was depicted in the film “We Were Soldiers.”

John Fernandez, a 1996 graduate of Rocky Point High School and member of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, spoke about his service as a captain of the Black Knights of West Point. He also spoke about how he was wounded in Iraq and his prominent work with the Wounded Warriors, in
particularly his advocacy for the needs of all service members who have been hurt since Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Additionally, John, whose name is displayed on the road that is next to the VFW Post 6249, presented his combat patch to the high school during the ceremony, which will be hung in the window cases next to his picture and story.

Gabriel “Buddy” Gengler, a graduate of Shoreham-Wading River High School who also attended and became and officer at West Point, spoke about his service, how poor the civilians were overseas and his efforts to support the Wounded Warriors and all of the veterans in the nation. Lastly, a treasure of the school’s annual ceremony, Tommy Sullivan, a performer in the West Point Army Band and the Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, performed several beautiful songs.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District