Cranston Students Reflect on Memorial Day

By John McCarthy

On Friday, Park View Middle School in Cranston taught its students that Memorial Day is more than a long weekend.

In a lesson too big for any classroom, the student body of Park View Middle School assembled on the front lawn under old glory herself. Honored guests Mr. Michael Traficante of the Cranston School Committee, spoke to the students from the perspective of a Veteran, emphasizing that the freedoms we cherish as Americans are provided by the American Solider.

Dr. Judith Lundsten, Superintendent of Cranston Public Schools, shared how her parents met while serving our country in the armed forces, and Mr. Raymond Votta, Chief Operating Officer of Cranston Public Schools, reminded us to also honor the parents and families of our armed forces, sharing a story of his grandmother who had all four of her sons leave home to defend our country.

With compliments to Park View Principal Mr. Michael Crudale and all of its faculty, staff, and students, both Military Speakers, Lieutenant Colonel Sharon L. Harmon, and CW3 Joshua Hendrickson of the Rhode Island National Guard, noted they had never seen or participated in a Memorial Day Ceremony of such magnitude. And so as we are reminded by all of the honored dignitaries, however you choose to celebrate this Memorial Day, remember the men and women who have so bravely and honorably fought to preserve the freedoms we cherish.