On Friday, Nov. 7, area veterans, community members, elementary and high school students, families, faculty and staff took part in our annual Veterans Day assembly within our Wee Warriors' Cafe. An effort orchestrated by senior class participation in government teacher, Theresa Leonardi, area veterans were honored through songs, speeches and more.
Principal Tim Cowin welcomed the audience, while village mayor, Jean Saroodis, led the veterans into the cafetorium, as our middle school and high school music instructors, Laura Woodworth and Aislinn Call, played the piano and directed a 21-member junior/senior chorus respectively, as they sang “Over There.”
High school senior Matt Crowley led the assembly throughout the morning, as he introduced the events at hand.
Also senior class president Sharra Brentlinger led the Pledge of Allegiance, before our elementary students, along with our music instructor, Mary Buchmann, proudly sang the words to “Proud to be an American.” With hardly a dry eye in the room, our veterans, who were positioned on the stage, sat proudly in respect of our students' gift of song.
Next, the Gold Star banner was shown to the audience by seniors Sydney Dinneen and Alyssa Field. It symbolizes the 16 Weedsport students who courageously lost their lives in battle over the years. We lost five students during World War I and 11 during World War II. This banner, and another one identical to it, were displayed in both the windows of our elementary and high schools in honor of Veterans Day.
Additionally, in memory of all those veterans who are no longer with us, a wreath placing ceremony occurred next, as veterans, Gary Charlton, Brad Devitt and Joseph Moody placed a wreath on our stage, while “Taps” was played by senior trumpeter Nicholas Topichak and “Echo Taps,” by senior, Johnny Bos.
Fourth-grader Danielle Mattison recited a poem she wrote in honor of veterans. She stated: “They are willing to risk their lives every day for us. They will not back down until they have done their duty.”
Again, our students sang for the audience proudly along with the words to “God Bless the USA,” before fifth-grader, JJ O'Connor read a speech, “A Day to be Proud,” which he had written for the occasion. He stated: “To me, I believe we have an obligation to be proud of our veterans for their duty, sacrifice and courage.” O'Connor went on to say that showing reverence to our veterans could occur by “having a moment of silence, participating in parades or simply hanging a flag outside.”
Again, Brentlinger moved to the podium to discuss the purpose of the USO. Later that morning, another assembly in honor of veterans would transpire within our high school's gymnasium. A good portion of this assembly would consist of a USO show. During our assembly, high school senior Nick Silcox as Bob Hope introduced each branch of service, as those members stood to be identified in concert with their theme song, which was sung by our high school chorus.
Following this, the Andrews sisters would have been proud, as Sydney Dinneen and Alyssa Field performed a tap dance to “Boggie Woogie Bugle Boy,” before their classmate Megan Wager led the audience in song to “God Bless America.”
The veterans then marched out of the cafetorium to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” to conclude the ceremony.
Later that morning, our entire third grade was treated to a visit by an uncle of one of my third-graders, Steven Gilfus. Captain Gary Charlton, a 1989 graduate of Weedsport High School, is currently in the United States Air Force and The New York Air National Guard, and is an F-16 pilot and commander. After graduating from Cayuga Community College and Columbia College, Charlton received extensive military and flight training. He served in Desert Storm, Operations Northern Watch, Iraqi/Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
He spent about 45 minutes with our students, as he showed portions of a United States Air Force DVD to the children. It showed segments of Air National Guard training, as Orange County Chopper's very own Vinnie and Rich partook in some training maneuvers right at Hancock Field in Syracuse.
After the DVD, Captain Gary had his nephew and Jacob O'Connor suit up, while wearing various pieces of gear that Charlton brought for his visit. Charlton discussed the significance of every item, and he went into detail regarding their intricacies. Such gear included a G-suit, which allows a pilot to withstand G-Force during maneuvers and missions; a cargo vest, and a helmet.
Charlton then led a question and answer session.
The events of the morning had an impact on all those in attendance, be it a veteran or an individual paying respect to a veteran. Such events have helped our students recognize the meaning and significance of Veterans Day, and without question, to our children, it is very much more than just a day off from school.
Lynn Cheche Baker is a third-grade teacher at Weedsport Elementary School and is also the owner of the Successful Steps Tutoring Service
High school senior Matt Crowley led the assembly throughout the morning, as he introduced the events at hand.
Also senior class president Sharra Brentlinger led the Pledge of Allegiance, before our elementary students, along with our music instructor, Mary Buchmann, proudly sang the words to “Proud to be an American.” With hardly a dry eye in the room, our veterans, who were positioned on the stage, sat proudly in respect of our students' gift of song.
Next, the Gold Star banner was shown to the audience by seniors Sydney Dinneen and Alyssa Field. It symbolizes the 16 Weedsport students who courageously lost their lives in battle over the years. We lost five students during World War I and 11 during World War II. This banner, and another one identical to it, were displayed in both the windows of our elementary and high schools in honor of Veterans Day.
Additionally, in memory of all those veterans who are no longer with us, a wreath placing ceremony occurred next, as veterans, Gary Charlton, Brad Devitt and Joseph Moody placed a wreath on our stage, while “Taps” was played by senior trumpeter Nicholas Topichak and “Echo Taps,” by senior, Johnny Bos.
Fourth-grader Danielle Mattison recited a poem she wrote in honor of veterans. She stated: “They are willing to risk their lives every day for us. They will not back down until they have done their duty.”
Again, our students sang for the audience proudly along with the words to “God Bless the USA,” before fifth-grader, JJ O'Connor read a speech, “A Day to be Proud,” which he had written for the occasion. He stated: “To me, I believe we have an obligation to be proud of our veterans for their duty, sacrifice and courage.” O'Connor went on to say that showing reverence to our veterans could occur by “having a moment of silence, participating in parades or simply hanging a flag outside.”
Again, Brentlinger moved to the podium to discuss the purpose of the USO. Later that morning, another assembly in honor of veterans would transpire within our high school's gymnasium. A good portion of this assembly would consist of a USO show. During our assembly, high school senior Nick Silcox as Bob Hope introduced each branch of service, as those members stood to be identified in concert with their theme song, which was sung by our high school chorus.
Following this, the Andrews sisters would have been proud, as Sydney Dinneen and Alyssa Field performed a tap dance to “Boggie Woogie Bugle Boy,” before their classmate Megan Wager led the audience in song to “God Bless America.”
The veterans then marched out of the cafetorium to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” to conclude the ceremony.
Later that morning, our entire third grade was treated to a visit by an uncle of one of my third-graders, Steven Gilfus. Captain Gary Charlton, a 1989 graduate of Weedsport High School, is currently in the United States Air Force and The New York Air National Guard, and is an F-16 pilot and commander. After graduating from Cayuga Community College and Columbia College, Charlton received extensive military and flight training. He served in Desert Storm, Operations Northern Watch, Iraqi/Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
He spent about 45 minutes with our students, as he showed portions of a United States Air Force DVD to the children. It showed segments of Air National Guard training, as Orange County Chopper's very own Vinnie and Rich partook in some training maneuvers right at Hancock Field in Syracuse.
After the DVD, Captain Gary had his nephew and Jacob O'Connor suit up, while wearing various pieces of gear that Charlton brought for his visit. Charlton discussed the significance of every item, and he went into detail regarding their intricacies. Such gear included a G-suit, which allows a pilot to withstand G-Force during maneuvers and missions; a cargo vest, and a helmet.
Charlton then led a question and answer session.
The events of the morning had an impact on all those in attendance, be it a veteran or an individual paying respect to a veteran. Such events have helped our students recognize the meaning and significance of Veterans Day, and without question, to our children, it is very much more than just a day off from school.
Lynn Cheche Baker is a third-grade teacher at Weedsport Elementary School and is also the owner of the Successful Steps Tutoring Service
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