By jeanette M. eng
Staff Writer
FARRAH MAFFAI New York firefighter Dan McWilliams was among the honored guests at a Veterans Day program in Marlboro on Nov. 14.
MARLBORO — The auditorium of the Frank Defino Central School was bursting with patriotic ties, scarves and attitudes as the school’s students and staff commemorated Veterans Day on Thursday.
The tone of the assembly was set with the opening flag salute and singing of the national anthem.
Mayor Matthew Scannapieco commended the youngsters on their behavior and their evident patriotism.
"I feel good knowing that my future is in the hands of children such as you," the mayor said.
FARRAH MAFFAI Sixth-grader Danny Chasin sings “There’s a Hero” during the Veterans Day assembly at the Frank Defino Central School, Marlboro, on Nov. 14.
Lt. Col. Eric Dietz of Fort Mon-mouth, Eatontown, followed the mayor to the podium and expressed his gratitude for the support and patriotism brimming in the room.
Among the guests of honor at the Veterans Day celebration was New York City firefighter Dan McWilliams.
Although McWilliams’ name may not be familiar to most Americans, his picture most likely is.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York City, on Sept. 11, 2001, McWilliams and two other New York firefighters, George Johnson and Billy Eisengrein, were captured in a photograph taken by Thomas E. Franklin of the Bergen County newspaper The Record raising an American flag amid the rubble at ground zero.
FARRAH MAFFAI Former Marlboro Superintendent of Schools Frank Defino discusses American history with youngsters at a Veterans Day assembly.
Franklin’s photograph has come to be regarded as a symbol of American patriotism along the lines of a famous photograph of U.S. Marines raising an American flag on top of Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. The picture snapped by Franklin has appeared in hundreds of newspapers and magazines and books, and been shown on television countless times.
In conjunction with the photograph, additional information about the funds that have been established may be found at the Internet Web sites www.groundzerospirit.com and www.thebravestfund.com.
McWilliams, 36, whose niece, Meghan McWilliams, 8, attends the Defino School, is in the middle of the three firefighters. He is with the Fire Department of New York Ladder 157 of Brooklyn.
In brief comments, McWilliams thanked the Defino School community for allowing him to be a part of the assembly and said he was glad to be there.
Another honored guest was former Marlboro Superintendent of Schools Frank Defino, who spoke to the youngsters and quizzed them on their knowledge of American war history.
Defino closed his speech with comments about heroes. He spoke highly of sports figures, identifying them as people with great talents, but he went on to say that heroes are those people with the incredible will to give up their lives for their own country.
The youngsters expressed a great deal of patriotism through songs, poems and other efforts.
Among these was a song performed by sixth-grader Danny Chasin. Singing the lyrics, "There’s a flower in the smallest garden, reaching for the light. There’s a candle in the darkest corner conquering the night … There’s a hero in everybody’s heart," Chasin serenaded everyone with the inspirational song "There’s a Hero."
Fourth-graders, dressed alike down to each red bow tie, entertained with a repertoire of patriotic songs and solos including "This Is My Country," "God Bless the USA" and "You Are Our Heroes."
Many veterans attended the event, dressed in uniform and lining two walls of the auditorium.