Tuesday, November 11 was an incredibly special day for schools across Newtown, as students, staff, parents, and others came together to celebrate Veterans Day.

From assemblies and parades to breakfasts and luncheons, each school thought of its own way to honor the veterans in its community.

At Hawley Elementary School, several students attended a breakfast with their loved ones who served in the military services to start the morning. After the breakfast, all students were called into the gymnasium for the ceremony.

During the ceremony, a few students from each grade presented poems, reflections, or presentations about what being a veteran meant to them. Jill Marak, Hawley’s music teacher, led the students through a few songs, including “This Land Is Your Land.”

After the student reflections, teachers worked together for a White Table Ceremony demonstration. The White Table Ceremony, otherwise known as the Missing Man Table Ceremony, is an act where a table is put out with one empty chair, and the table is dressed in a white cloth.

The round table symbolizes the everlasting concern for missing soldiers. The white cloth symbolizes the purity of troops’ motives to serve. On the table is a single red rose, displayed in a vase, to remind viewers of the lives of these Americans and their loved ones who search for answers. A red ribbon is tied around the vase to symbolize the continued determination to find missing soldiers.

One slice of lemon is placed on a plate, to remind people of the “bitter fate” of those captured and missing in foreign lands. On this plate is also a pinch of salt to symbolize the tears shed from families missing loved ones. One lit candle is also placed on the table to reflect hope for soldiers’ return. An inverted glass is placed on the table, recognizing the inability for these lost soldiers to take part in dinner.

After the White Table Ceremony, Principal Chris Moretti asked students to give the veterans in attendance a round of applause, and one by one students began to stand and clap for the veterans of the “Hawley family.” Students were then ushered out into the hall, where they sat on each side. Veterans then participated in a “parade,” where they gave students high fives and were acknowledged with a sea of applause once more.

Middle Gate Elementary School treated its veterans to a special breakfast. Students excitedly took their veterans into the school’s cafeteria, where every table was decorated with red, white, and blue balloons. Off to one side of the room was a table filled with pastries and fruit, as well as orange juice and coffee.

There was also a photo area towards the front of the cafeteria. Families could stand in front of a blue background dotted with fireworks and American flags and smile for the perfect photo.

Afterwards, everyone walked into the school’s gymnasium for an assembly about the importance of Veterans Day. The school held two assemblies that morning, with one half of the student body attending the first and the other half attending the second.

Middle Gate music teacher Tina Jones led students in Singing “America the Beautiful” before Middle Gate Principal Jenna Connors addressed the crowd.

She told veterans that the entire school is honored to have them there, and called Veterans Day “one of her favorite days in school.”

“This is the day where we can really learn about the veterans who are here with us today, and those who are not, and thank them for everything they have done for us,” Connors said.

Select students took turns reading a speech honoring the veterans, as well as their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to their country.

Following a moment of silence, Jones led everyone in singing “This Land Is Your Land.” The first assembly had some technical difficulties, so the instrumental for the song would not play. However, this did not stop students from singing the full song acapella.

Students who brought their veterans got to name them and call them up to the front of the gymnasium. The crowd applauded each veteran as they walked up, with several students giving them big hugs.

The assemblies ended with a slideshow featuring photos of each veteran as well as the names of their Middle Gate students.

The school’s Veterans Day celebration ended with a big parade, where students walked with their veterans around the entire school. All the while, teachers and other students applauded at the sides of the hallway, some even giving the veterans high fives and fist bumps as they passed by.

St Rose, Middle School

At St Rose of Lima School, veterans were honored with an assembly in the school’s gym. St Rose students waved American flags in the air as the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard led veterans towards the front of the room.

After some opening remarks from St Rose Principal Bardhyl Gjoka, who expressed gratitude to veterans for their service, Father Peter Cipriani came forward to lead everyone in prayer. He said that they gather in gratitude and remembrance, giving thanks to the men and woman who have served America.

“For their courage, their sacrifice, and their devotion to peace and freedom, bless all veterans past and present,” Cipriani said. “May they feel our respect and appreciation, and may they find comfort and healing in the nation they have protected.”

Veteran Richard Monckton, who is also the father of a St Rose student, took the stage afterwards. He spoke about the importance of Veterans Day and respecting the sacrifices veterans have made for their country.

“You may have a veteran in your family, a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle. Maybe a big brother, a sister, a cousin, or a family friend,” Monckton said. “Each one has served and sacrificed so that we may live in peace, so thank you for sharing your veteran with us today.”

The veterans in attendance then got to take turns talking to the audience. Each veteran gave some background information on themselves, their experience in the US Armed Forces, and what being a veteran means for them.

Afterwards, it was time for the Knights of Columbus to announce the winner of its poster and essay contest. A longstanding St Rose Veterans Day tradition, students in seventh grade design posters while and eighth graders write essays, all themed after what a veteran means to them.

The student who got first place in the essay contest, Isabella Longo, read her essay during the assembly.

Newtown Middle School invited families to bring their veterans and sit down for a special breakfast in the school’s cafeteria. The selection of food was particularly special, as the school’s administration asked families and staff to bring in a donation of things to buy or make at home for the breakfast.

A large table, draped in a blue tablecloth, was topped with a wide assortment of food items and drinks for the big day. Veterans could fill their plate with muffins, donuts, bagels, fruit, quiche, and more, before grabbing some water or orange juice to round out their breakfast.

Other tables throughout the cafeteria were draped in a dark blue tablecloth, each one with glasses filled with flowers and an American flag.

The breakfast was immediately followed by a ceremony held in the school’s auditorium. The ceremony paid tribute to the veterans’ service and dedication to their country, with a special reading of each veteran’s name and their associated branches.

The biggest surprise came after the ceremony, where Newtown Middle School students applauded the veterans as they left the auditorium.

High School

Newtown High School (NHS) honored its veterans with a celebratory luncheon, followed by a special assembly.

Students and staff took their veterans into the school’s gymnasium, which had several tables set up throughout the room. Much like last year, every table was draped in an American flag tablecloth and topped with bouquets of red and white roses from NHS Greenery.

Students from Hawks Honors Associated left cards on each table offering words of support and giving thanks to the veterans.

Towards the entrance of the gym was a table lined with a wide variety of food provided by Chartwells. Veterans filled up their plates with chicken parmesan, penne alla vodka, salad, and bread, and rounded out their meal with water, coffee, or tea. Of course, veterans could also treat themselves to a large vanilla cake topped with red, white, and blue icing.

NHS Social Studies Department Chair Amy Deeb, who said it was the social studies department’s fourth time running the luncheon, was grateful to treat so many veterans to lunch. According to Deeb, around 85 veterans joined them for the special occasion.

As families finished eating in the gymnasium, they were led to the auditorium for the assembly. Students that had social studies and mathematics classes at that time attended the event.

NHS Principal Kimberly Longobucco took to the stage and welcomed everyone. She called the celebration a highlight and “something we look forward to each year.”

“I’m thankful that we have school on Veterans Day, because the importance of this day and sharing its meaning and significance with our students certainly would not be possible if we had the day off,” Longobucco said.

She continued by speaking about the veterans in her family, and how much their service means to her.

“To all veterans here today, thank you will never be enough ... Many of us will never fully understand your sacrifice, but what we do know is the way we become accustom to living is largely because of the work you’ve done,” Longobucco said. “On behalf of Newtown High School’s staff and students ... thank you for your service.”

Afterwards, veterans were called to stand and be recognized for the wars or conflicts that they participated in, with the audience applauding after each one.

NHS Social Studies teacher Jason Edwards spoke next and introduced their guest of honor, Honorable Judge Thomas Saadi, lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

Prior to his confirmation as a judge, Saadi served as a commissioner on the Connecticut Department of Veterans. He also served as an assistant attorney general and special prosecutor for the state of Connecticut for 15 years, among his many other achievements.

Saadi thanked everyone for allowing him the opportunity to share his thoughts as they honor and remember their veterans. For many Americans, he said November simply marks the beginning of the holiday season.

“But these wonderful things we enjoy as Americans are only possible because of those who have served, and continue to serve, in our military, ensuring that the freedoms we enjoy are preserved,” Saadi said.

He continued by saying all the veterans there that day, whether they served in peace time or in war, raised their right hand and took an oath to serve and protect America. Saadi proceeded to read a letter from United States Army Sergeant David Ker, who was killed in action in 1918 while fighting in France; he was barely two years older than the high school seniors in the room, Saadi noted.

“[Ker] gave up two lives that day: the life he had lived up until that point, and the life he would never have the opportunity to live,” Saadi said. “He and so many others sacrificed their two lives so that you may live your two lives; the lives you have lived up until this day, and the lives you will live in the future.”

Saadi asked everyone as they walk amongst their community to carry that spirit of service with them, because “all of us are part of something greater than ourselves.”

Deeb spoke to the audience and introduced everyone to American Legion Post 202. State Representative Mary Foncello, on behalf of American Legion Post 202, helped present the Community Americanism Awards to three individuals who have shown continuous support to the Newtown community: Eunice Laverty, Dr Sean Lee, and Donna Monteleone.

Foncello noted that Laverty has been serving Newtown breakfast, lunch, and “a whole lot of love” for three decades at her business, Bagel Delight. Laverty has led the community through her kindness, humor, and unshakable spirit one coffee and laugh at a time.

Next to be honored was Dr Lee, the owner of Newtown Smile and a highly respected dentist, dedicated Army National Guard officer, and generous community volunteer, according to speaker Laura Taylor.

“Dr Lee lives out Americanism through his professional excellence, his military service, and his unwavering commitment to helping others,” Taylor said.

Afterwards, Taylor honored Monteleone for her service as American Legion 202 post commander and the countless hours she spends supporting fellow veterans in the community. For her work, Monteleone was selected among 14 Connecticut veterans as part of the 20th class of honorees to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, which honors veterans who continue to serve their community after leaving service.

“She embodies the word veteran ... and it is with great honor and pride to honor [her],” Taylor said.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.

Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.