By Marley Seaman
Herman Horowitz held the students, teachers and other seniors in rapt attention as he described his experiences with the Seventh Armored Division in Europe in 1944 and 1945. Horowitz, a docent at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Museum in Great Neck, helped liberate some of the first Nazi concentration camps. He dropped out of high school during his senior year to join the military. Sixty years later, he was still moved by the horrors he saw in the camps and in occupied Europe, and by the gratitude of the people who he and his fellow soldiers helped. Much of the audience was in tears as he spoke, and many students lined up to shake Horowitz¹s hand after his presentation.
³There wasn¹t a dry eye in the place when he spoke,² said Social Studies director Diane Sordelline, who organized the program.
Stacie Erin Wells, Miss USO 2006, preceded Horowitz. She told the students about the United Service Organization¹s long history of raising the morale of the armed forces, and sang ³God Bless the USA² and ³You¹ll Never Walk Alone.² Carol Froelhig is a docent at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. A former teacher, Froelhig flew small airplanes after her retirement. She told the students about the role of aviation in Long Island¹s history. She focused on the work women and minorities did in the aviation industry during World War II.
When the speeches ended, the students and seniors spent an hour comparing the experiences and values of their two generations. The West Hempstead students voiced their admiration for the strong work ethic, determination and curiosity of their elders, as well as their ability to enjoy life. The senior citizens called Generation Y intelligent, ethical and sensitive. Visitor Fran Foote said she felt the students would be able to face the challenges in the world around them.
³I certainly think you could rise to the occasion,² she said.
The high school teachers found the forum as revealing as their students did.
³What stood out is how well the two generations got along,² said government teacher Kelly Ann Dooley.
³This was a humbling experience,² said student Eddy Nicholas. ³It really brought tears to my eyes.²
