HOWELL – Pupils at the Newbury School honored local veterans and celebrated Veterans Day with an assembly, a supply drive and an honor walk.
On Nov. 18, 49 veterans were treated to breakfast on behalf of the school community, the PTA and the Student Council, according to a press release.
After breakfast, an assembly was held to honor the veterans, led by Principal James Quinn. The ceremony was attended by the Naval Honor Guard from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in south central New Jersey.
Barry Rosenzweig, an Army veteran and a former principal in the Jackson School District, was the guest speaker. Rosenzweig delivered a message that focused on the importance of remembering and honoring veterans for their service and commitment to the country, according to the press release.
Pupils from each grade performed a patriotic song and students who had sponsored veterans at the event gave video and slideshow presentations as a way of showing their thanks.
Later in the day, pupils returned to the gym to participate in an honor walk around the school’s campus. Each child wore a sticker which said, “I am walking for…” with the name of a loved one who served in the military, or for veterans overall.
The day concluded with a supply drive that was conducted for the benefit of the “Help a Hero Fund.” Eight large boxes of supplies will be delivered to the Saint Francis Commons, a halfway house established to help veterans reunite with family members, attain jobs and become re-established within the community, according to the press release.
“I was elated and overwhelmed by the school’s Veterans Day ceremony,” one veteran said. “I felt patriotism, love of country and faith in the youth of our great nation. Many veterans who attended were brought to tears, including myself. I left with a feeling of faith in our youngsters, who will be our future.”