WEEDSPORT - Bob Hope would have been proud.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Willard Everitt, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, who served in the Korean War, and Frank Mester, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, stand during the playing of “God Bless America,” during Weedsport High School's Veterans Day celebration Wednesday morning.
Willard Everitt, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, who served in the Korean War, and Frank Mester, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, stand during the playing of “God Bless America,” during Weedsport High School's Veterans Day celebration Wednesday morning.
The seniors in Weedsport High School's Participation in Government Class staged their annual USO show for dozens of veterans and their spouses, along with hundreds of fellow students, who packed the gymnasium Wednesday.
“We try to honor the deceased veterans, recognize the surviving veterans, and entertain everybody at the same time. And, hopefully, we do,” said social studies teacher Theresa Leonardi, who works with the teenagers on the show.
The morning began with songs from the high school chorus, including the National Anthem and a patriotic medley titled “United We Stand.” Luke Baker, senior class president, was the master of ceremonies and also played “Taps” along with junior Nicholas Topichak.
Sixteen candles were also lit one by one, by the students, for the native sons of Weedsport who died in the two World Wars. Baker read a brief biography before each candle was lit.
One of those honored was Donald J. Schram, who was 26 when he was killed in action in Italy on Oct. 7, 1944. His memorial candle was lit by his sister, Winnie, and his son, Donald Jr. Watching proudly were Donald Jr.'s wife, Judie, and his uncle, Leon Schram.
“This is fantastic. I wish more schools did the same thing. All veterans would like to see young people know more about what they did, and what it meant to American history,” said Schram, who was just 16 months old when his father was killed.
Also honored was USO ambassador Mary Parry, of Watertown. Born in Geneva, Parry began serving as a USO volunteer starting in 1941. She'd serve coffee and dance with a few of the boys.
“I was proud when they left, happy when they came home,” she said.
The seniors presented Parry, 84, with photographs from the past few USO shows they've put on, all put together in a large frame. The veterans in attendance then signed around the photos. Parry lost most of her memorabilia from her time with the USO when her home was flooded.
“It's just more than I ever dreamed. These kids did such a wonderful job,” Parry said.
Parry crossed paths with many famous performers. She loved Jerry Lewis and the Andrew Sisters, and met Hope close to 30 times.
“He was always a gentleman,” said Parry, who stepped on his foot the first time she met him, in Washington, D.C. “When I turned around to say I'm sorry, he said, ‘That's all right. I only walk on the bottoms.' From then on, we were always good friends.”
Senior Jordan Petrocci played Hope in the USO show, complete with green plaid knickers and his signature golf club. His jokes were often corny, but they got big laughs.
Perhaps the loudest laugh he got was for his playful jab at Weedsport's rival school to the west. Petrocci asked, “What do you call a pretty girl in Port Byron?” The answer? “Lost.”
“It was an honor to see all the veterans here today. It's just a great feeling,” said Petrocci, a member of the cross country and track teams who plans on attending the Rochester Institute of Technology next year.
The seniors started planning their show soon after the school year started. They chose who they want to perform as - such as Sonny and Cher (Zachary Philips and Markie Kreplin), Patsy Cline (Casey Mears), or Abbott and Costello (Gavin Johnston and Tim Vargason).
Weedsport graduate and current resident Thomas Cartner certainly enjoyed the show. And he spoke afterwards, to the seniors before their lunch together, of the brave men and women who attended.
“I am very proud to be among such distinguished people,” Cartner said.
“We try to honor the deceased veterans, recognize the surviving veterans, and entertain everybody at the same time. And, hopefully, we do,” said social studies teacher Theresa Leonardi, who works with the teenagers on the show.
The morning began with songs from the high school chorus, including the National Anthem and a patriotic medley titled “United We Stand.” Luke Baker, senior class president, was the master of ceremonies and also played “Taps” along with junior Nicholas Topichak.
Sixteen candles were also lit one by one, by the students, for the native sons of Weedsport who died in the two World Wars. Baker read a brief biography before each candle was lit.
One of those honored was Donald J. Schram, who was 26 when he was killed in action in Italy on Oct. 7, 1944. His memorial candle was lit by his sister, Winnie, and his son, Donald Jr. Watching proudly were Donald Jr.'s wife, Judie, and his uncle, Leon Schram.
“This is fantastic. I wish more schools did the same thing. All veterans would like to see young people know more about what they did, and what it meant to American history,” said Schram, who was just 16 months old when his father was killed.
Also honored was USO ambassador Mary Parry, of Watertown. Born in Geneva, Parry began serving as a USO volunteer starting in 1941. She'd serve coffee and dance with a few of the boys.
“I was proud when they left, happy when they came home,” she said.
The seniors presented Parry, 84, with photographs from the past few USO shows they've put on, all put together in a large frame. The veterans in attendance then signed around the photos. Parry lost most of her memorabilia from her time with the USO when her home was flooded.
“It's just more than I ever dreamed. These kids did such a wonderful job,” Parry said.
Parry crossed paths with many famous performers. She loved Jerry Lewis and the Andrew Sisters, and met Hope close to 30 times.
“He was always a gentleman,” said Parry, who stepped on his foot the first time she met him, in Washington, D.C. “When I turned around to say I'm sorry, he said, ‘That's all right. I only walk on the bottoms.' From then on, we were always good friends.”
Senior Jordan Petrocci played Hope in the USO show, complete with green plaid knickers and his signature golf club. His jokes were often corny, but they got big laughs.
Perhaps the loudest laugh he got was for his playful jab at Weedsport's rival school to the west. Petrocci asked, “What do you call a pretty girl in Port Byron?” The answer? “Lost.”
“It was an honor to see all the veterans here today. It's just a great feeling,” said Petrocci, a member of the cross country and track teams who plans on attending the Rochester Institute of Technology next year.
The seniors started planning their show soon after the school year started. They chose who they want to perform as - such as Sonny and Cher (Zachary Philips and Markie Kreplin), Patsy Cline (Casey Mears), or Abbott and Costello (Gavin Johnston and Tim Vargason).
Weedsport graduate and current resident Thomas Cartner certainly enjoyed the show. And he spoke afterwards, to the seniors before their lunch together, of the brave men and women who attended.
“I am very proud to be among such distinguished people,” Cartner said.
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