Matthew Kenny is honored as Veteran of the Year at St. Stanislaus Kostka School. PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA GROVER SAYREVILLE — Each year, St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Sayreville honors a veteran from the community as its Veteran of the Year.
This year, the school voted to honor Matthew Kenny, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2007 until 2011.
“We select a member of the community that has an outstanding service record,” St. Stanislaus Kostka School Principal Patricia Graham said.
A Nov. 8 morning assembly included performances by each class from prekindergarten through the eighth grade. Each class showcased a different patriotic song from throughout history.
“It is fitting to have children singing some of these songs because those who made the ultimate sacrifice did not do it for the glory, but they knew that they would leave the world a better place,” Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) said. “Thanks for bringing home the point today that what we do as grown-ups is to make the world a better place for our children.”
Graham explained to the assembly that Kenny had served primarily as a construction manager who supported other branches of the military in heavy construction.
“People always ask me what the hardest thing about the service is,” Kenny said. “The hardest thing about it was leaving.”
Kenny, who serves as a volunteer firefighter for Sayreville Engine Co. 1, recalled attending Veterans Day events as a child and how he never thought he would be a veteran, let alone Veteran of the Year.
In his remarks, Kenny told the children in attendance to never give up when faced with challenges.
“When the military called us to do something, we could do it,” Kenny said. “Don’t ever say ‘no’ and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Then you’ll succeed in life.”
Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O’Brien said the annual event “embodies what it means to be an American.”
“I am so proud to be included every year in this event,” he said. “I am renewed as a citizen of this country.”