Saturday, November 14, 2026
Students at Plaza Elementary School in Baldwin celebrated National Civics Day on Oct. 27 with a special assembly honoring local veterans and the community’s aviation history — capped off with the unveiling of a restored historic marker outside the school.
The ceremony brought together students, educators, community leaders, local veterans and members of the Baldwin Historical Society & Museum to highlight the importance of civic engagement, community service and preserving local history.
The morning began with the Pledge of Allegiance before Plaza Principal Mark Gray welcomed students and faculty, explaining how the location of the school, at 501 Seaman Ave., and its history connect generations of Baldwin residents.
Gary Farkash, the historical society's president, explained the significance of the sign, which commemorates the aviation achievements of brothers Arthur and Albert Heinrich.
Baldwin’s aviation history dates back to the early 1900s, when the Heinrich brothers developed a fascination with flight. Their family owned the farm where the elementary school stands today.
Inspired by the Wright brothers, the Heinrichs turned their interest into a pioneering achievement when they designed, built and flew what became the first all-American monoplane in May 1910.
Unlike earlier aircraft designs featuring four wings, the monoplane was equipped with only two. At a time when aircraft creations were often assembled from mismatched parts, the Heinrich brothers’ all-American design marked a milestone in early American aviation.
Karen Montalbano, the historical society's vice president, emphasized the importance of local history in educational settings.
“There’s a lot of history here in Baldwin,” Montalbano said. “We really should start to learn about it and become more involved in finding our roots and what is special about Baldwin.”
The Baldwin Civic Association installed the historic marker outside Plaza in 1976, honoring the Heinrichs’ achievement as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. Featuring a bicentennial emblem, the original green-and-white cast-iron sign stood for nearly 50 years, as it became faded and worn.
With permission from the Baldwin School District, Farkash restored the deteriorating sign. He removed the marker and spent two years stripping old paint and treating the metal, eventually repainting it in Baldwin’s school colors.
“I started and I had to finish, regardless of how long it took,” Farkash said about the restoration project. “For students to see and hear what it took, that’s dedication. It’s something that they need to learn.”
The restored sign was unveiled outside the school, giving a new generation of students an opportunity to learn about the history of their school grounds.
Susan Cools, vice president of the Baldwin Board of Education, expressed hope that the marker will inspire students and others whenever they pass it.
“Now, the kids know every time they walk by it, every time they drive by it, they get to look at that with pride,” Cools said. “Things like that make you feel proud and make you feel connected, and that you want to be a part of something.”
Following the unveiling, the assembly recognized local U.S. Army veterans Marlon Ramirez and Jason Brandle before welcoming Korean War veteran John Dettori and Vietnam War veteran Vinny Morreale. Plaza’s student council raised $800 last school year to send both Dettori and Morreale on an Honor Flight, which transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit military memorials and monuments.
Dettori, who served roughly four years as a U.S. Navy radioman in the Pacific during the Korean War, thanked students for their continued support of veterans and encouraged them to appreciate their freedoms.
“I just want to thank you, Baldwin,” Dettori said. “Always remember, students, boys and girls, that we live in the greatest country in the world. God bless America, and God bless you.”
Fifth-grader Stella Everhart said honoring veterans was especially meaningful to her because her father is both a veteran and a firefighter.
“I feel like everyone deserves to be honored if they’re a veteran and anyone who helps the community,” Stella said.
After the restored sign was unveiled during the outdoor portion of the assembly, students moved inside for a short presentation, featuring artifacts from the historical society. Among the items were a leather aviation helmet worn by Arthur Heinrich, a plaque commemorating the first solo fight and wheel assemblies from the Heinrich brothers’ aircraft that were created from bicycle wheels.
While the celebration highlighted the importance of connecting students with their community’s past, it also encouraged them to look toward the future. For the second consecutive year, Plaza staff lined the school field with posters of fifth graders displaying their career aspirations. Inside, students contributed writing and artwork to a collaborative installation titled “Telling Our Story One Brick at a Time.”
The principal said the activity helped students recognize their role in Baldwin’s next chapter and beyond.
“They all made their own brick about what they want to be, and I’m sure they’re gonna look at what their friends wrote,” Gray said. “I hope that they’re inspired to be our future senators, and future veterans, and future board members, and just understand how important they are to us.”
