By Dana Klosner-Wehner
The children, wearing headbands with stars on them and waving flags, sang patriotic songs and recited a poem of thanks. On hand in the audience were veterans from American Legion Post 1033 in Elmont, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 455, and a soldier who served in Iraq, Otis Green, who is the father of twin kindergartners, Faith and Gloria.
“We tie the day together with Thanksgiving because the veterans are something that we’re thankful for,” said Assistant Principal Eileen Lambert.
The children made cards and donated bags filled with items, including oatmeal, tissues, shaving cream, toothpaste, dental floss, ramen noodles, cough drops, pretzels, hand cream, powder and juice that will be sent to soldiers oversees.
The hour-long assembly started with all the kids singing “Wave, wave, wave the flag,” while the kids waved flags. The honor guard marched through the middle of the gym with flags.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the children sang “America.”
The second graders were given good-citizenship awards, and then all the students sang “God Bless America.”
Jane Duane’s kindergarten class said what they are thankful for and they thanked the veterans for all their sacrifices.
The first graders received their good-citizen certificates as well. Cheryl Hoffmann’s kindergarten class stood and said, “We are thankful for our country.”
After a moment of silence for all those in military service, the children recited a poem, “Take a moment to thank a veteran.” The program ended with the children singing, “You’re A Grand Old Flag.”
“It’s fabulous to be able to thank our vets and show support for our country,” Hoffman said.
“The program is wonderful,” said Sal Martella, 61, a member of the American Legion Post 1033, who served in the Army in Vietnam. “The children are the future of this country and we should support them in any way we can.”
Sam DeMartin, also a member of the American Legion Post 1033, was a chaplain in the Navy during World War II.
“The program is very good,” he said. “We teach them about history.” Emily Tricoukes, past commander of the American Legion Post 1033, served in the SPARS – the Coast Guard’s ladies auxiliary, during World War II.
“We try to educate [the children] by coming to school and talking to them about different topics like history, their responsibility to their country, to themselves and to their families,” she said.
Tom Bennet, commander of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 455 who served in the Army in Korea, brought the school a flag that flew over the Capitol.
The kids enjoyed honoring the vets.
Kindergartner Suren Armand said he just wanted to say, “Thank you for keeping our country safe.”
“I think it’s great that the school honors the vets,” said Elizabeth DeMuria, his kindergarten teacher. “We invite people in the community to thank them for service throughout the years. We try to make [the children] aware that others are still fighting.”
“I think it’s a wonderful thing for students to start to acknowledge [the veterans] at such a young age,” said Antonetta Ciminelli, a speech therapist at the school. “It raises their awareness of what’s happening in the world today.”
Parents in the audience were proud of their children.
“It’s spectacular that we are here to honor our vets,” said Mairan Frias-Walsh, who’s daughter Gelina is in kindergarten. “It’s a beautiful thing to do. Countries abroad don’t have freedom to do half the things we do in the U.S.”
“It’s very nice and very informative for the children,” said Greg Walsh, Mairan’s husband. “It lets them know about our country and what our forefathers have given us. Hopefully, we can attend another assembly next year.”
