Veterans and active military personnel salute the American flag during a Veterans Day celebration at the Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School, Plumsted. PLUMSTED — Children who attend the Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School in New Egypt are certainly learning their history.
A special Veterans Day program organized by art teacher Rita Williams in honor of all veterans was held at the school on Nov. 11 and attended by students, staff members and veterans.
Guests at the program included military personnel from nearby Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Principal Robert Burkhardt welcomed the veterans and current members of the Air Force, Army and Navy to the program.
The youngsters took an active role in describing the importance of the day.
“Today, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day,” said pupil Christian Millward, who noted that for some people Veterans Day represents a day off from work, and for others it is not a holiday and its significance remains unknown.
“But for the true American patriots among us, the day evokes a very deep and personal reverence,” said Christian, a fifth-grader who noted that the day combines elements of pride, sadness, and most of all respect.
Master Sgt. Ferdinand John Bautista joins his children, Tiffany, 10, and Jonathan, 8, at the Veterans Day event. Christian said Veterans Day is a sacred day set aside to remember service, honor, bravery, duty and sacrifice for the greater good.
“It is a day to remember those who served and are serving, so that we may enjoy the life and the freedomwe have today,” said Christian. “For all those brave men and women that Veterans Day honors, we say thank you for your sacrifice and your service to our great country.”
Attending the ceremony were Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, Master Sgt. Matthew Snyder, Airman 1st Class Todd Shaffer, Staff Sgt. Ben McDonald III, Airman 1st Class Brad McCullough, Senior Airman Monique Sardella and Tech. Sgt. Clarence Harrison.
Also in attendance were Airman 1st Class Joshua Sanders, Staff Sgt. David Harris, Airman Zackery Conoway, Staff Sgt. Devin Chidester, Airman Devin McLean, Master Sgt. Ferdinand Bautista, Chief Warrant Officer Steve Glowzenski and Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Falletta.
Additionally, Ester Heller from U.S. Navy Communications was in attendance, along with Master Sgt. Frank Balm, Sgt. Robert Rhode, Cpl. Erwin Jakob, Ret. Master Sgt. Shawn Hardy and Ret. Senior Master Sgt. Robert Hardy.
Student Rebekah Schroeder reviewed the history of Veterans Day.
“In 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month, fighting ceased in World War I,” Rebekah said. “Incorporated by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Armistice Day, Nov. 11, is a day to honor veterans living and dead who have given so much to protect our country.”
This year with America’s armed forces fighting enemies overseas and at home, Veterans Day is even more significant, she said.
“It was in 1938 that Armistice Day became an official holiday, but after World War II, citizens felt veterans of all wars should be recognized, and in 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day.
“In 1921 an American soldier known only to God was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C.,” pupil Dana Colarocco said.
Dana said the burial site in Arlington National Cemetery is known as the resting place of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Similar ceremonies, she said, are held in England and France to remember their Unknown Soldier of the Great War. Student Christian Cavanaugh explained that the first Veterans Day parade was held on Nov. 11, 1947, in Birmingham, Ala., and was organized by Raymond Weeks.
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day and a Veterans Day national committee was formed.
In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October, but that decision was reversed in 1978.
Student Estefania Clara explained how Veterans Day is observed and student Josh Harry noted the differences between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
“Memorial Day was set aside as a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, either in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle,” said Josh. “Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor those who served honorably in the military, whether in wartime or in peacetime.”
Student Dalton Hardy read an essay, “Patriots Pen,” which noted that freedom does not come free.
“They (the veterans and today’s military personnel) have risked the price of their lives for the sake of our country,” said Dalton.
Pupils in the school chorus, directed by music teacher Ken Beere, sang patriotic selections that included “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”