lesson on experiences
in armed services
Vets provide interactive
lesson on experiences
in armed services
By Joyce Blay
Staff Writer
Richard Brody of Millstone Township explains the significance of the symbols found on a POW-MIA flag during a presentation to pupils at Jackson’s Crawford-Rodriguez School.
JACKSON — The past is never forgotten as long as those who live it tell their stories to succeeding generations.
On Nov. 13, children at the Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School received a lesson about Veterans Day from those who learned it firsthand.
On that day, Richard D. Brody, commander, Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc., New Jersey, and Major Angelo Capolupo of the New Jersey Army National Guard shared with students their experiences — as well as those of soldiers not there to tell them in person.
Pinning a special black-and-white flag over the blackboard in front of the classroom, Brody began the presentation by discussing its symbolism with the class.
Angelo Capolupo of Manalapan, an Army National Guard reservist and Army veteran, shows students some of the items that soldiers carry in their backpack.
"Since Veterans Day, some of you have seen this flag flying," he said. "In 1971, families of soldiers missing in war wanted a symbol for their missing loved ones. The National League of Families created this flag."
Incorporating a black background with a white circle in its center, the flag’s dominant feature was the silhouette of a man facing east, his head downcast, with a watchtower behind him. Beneath this representation of a prisoner of war, and over a semi-wreath, was the saying, "You Are Not Forgotten." At the bottom was the acronym POW, for Prisoner of War, and MIA, for Missing in Action. A solid white star separated the two acronyms.
"I grew up in Jackson and when I went to war, I was sent to the other part of the world," said Brody. "Like other soldiers so far away, I looked up at the sky at night and hoped that my family saw the same stars that I did. That’s what the star in the flag represents."
Pointing to the silhouette of the soldier at the flag’s center, Brody continued his explanation of its symbols.
PHOTOS BY JERRY WOLKOWITZ During a Veterans Day program, Lauren Merwin (l), a fourth-grade pupil at the Crawford-Rodriguez School, Jackson, reads a letter she wrote to the family of a soldier missing in action.
"There are many missing soldiers, so we show just this one to represent them all," he said. "He’s facing home and his head is bowed down because he’s sad and missing home, not because he’s defeated."
But Brody’s explanation of the flag’s design elements was not yet complete.
"In Roman times, heroes were given wreaths. A half-wreath means he is a hero that has not yet come home," said Brody.
Just as important as the symbolism of the flag were the letters that students had written to soldiers they did not even know — and to whom those letters would be delivered.
"Does anyone want to come up and read their letter?" asked Brody.
The excited students raised their hands, some children straining to be recognized by Brody and given the opportunity to express their newfound awareness of family members’ service to their country. Several boys and girls were selected to stand before the room and read the letters they had written. One by one, they took their turn, and each child received an enthusiastic round of applause from the entire class.
"I’m sorry we couldn’t get to hear all of your letters, but we really appreciated your efforts," Brody said after the last child to read a letter had sat back down. "It isn’t easy to write a letter to someone you may never have met."
With that, Brody introduced Capolupo to the class.
"Major Capolupo has come here today to tell you what it’s like to serve," said Brody.
Capolupo began his discussion by describing to the children what made a soldier’s service to his or her country such a personal commitment.
"Every soldier in the military has a certain set of beliefs: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage," said Capolupo.
But the day’s lesson was not about just a soldier’s beliefs; Capolupo wanted the children there to understand what a soldier’s life was like while in service — from the food he ate to the helmet and uniform he wore on the field of battle. And that last lesson was one in which both children and faculty enthusiastically participated.
After demonstrating the wide range of menu options available to soldiers as MREs (meals ready to eat), Capolupo asked for volunteers to try on the same type of camouflage vest — constructed of Kevlar and sand — that he wore.
The children delighted in proving they were strong enough to carry its heavy weight on their own backs as well.
"I think we should have your principal try it on too," said an amused Capolupo.
"Do it, do it, do it," chanted children eager to see Principal Elizabeth Villecco take the challenge.
Pulling on the vest, Villecco pretended to buckle beneath the weight of it.
"I don’t think I can do this," she groaned in mock distress. "They should make a designer model just for women."
Another teacher in the room took the dare as well.
"That’s pretty heavy — like carrying one of you on my back all day," she said in jest.
When at last the presentation was over, Brody asked the class what they would say to a soldier.
"Thank you!" the children said in unison, and applauded the men.
But the thank-yous were not yet complete.
"Major Capolupo and I would also like to say thank you," said Brody. "In the military, there’s something a soldier will do to say thank you."
Both servicemen then saluted their appreciative audience.