Newtown schools welcomed veterans for special assemblies and events on November 9 and November 12 in recognition of the official November 11 Veterans Day.

At Head O’ Meadow Elementary School, the morning of November 9 was greeted with the full school assembling outside to witness a flag raising ceremony. Retired US Navy Lieutenant Charles Drew raised the flag alongside his grandsons fourth grader Cole Engle and third grader Charlie Engle. Head O’ Meadow Head Custodian Wayne Sherwood assisted in the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the visiting veterans were treated to breakfast courtesy of the school’s PTA. The veterans sat next to the students they were visiting. Bagels, fruit, coffee, and more were served during the breakfast.

“The entire Head O’ Meadow community is proud to have you here with us this morning,” said school Principal Tim Napolitano as the students and guests ate. He also thanked the veterans for being good role models for Head O’ Meadow students.

Over at Hawley Elementary School on November 12, there were more than 30 military veterans who attended the Veterans Day breakfast and assembly.

Lead Teacher Jenna Connors led the ceremony with Principal Christopher Moretti. The ceremony included reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing patriotic songs like “This Land Is Your Land,” and learning about how this Veterans Day marked the 100th anniversary of the unofficial end of World War I known as Armistice Day (later known as Veterans Day).

Fourth graders Caroline Kaufman, Piper Feli, Abby Hall, Maeve Schnitzler, Sophia Galassi, Kate Gies, and Sarah Smith spoke to everyone gathered about what Veterans Day means to each of them and thanked the veterans for their service.

Hawley teachers also performed the white table ceremony to honor all veterans, and the assembly concluded with students presenting the veterans they know with a red flower to show their respect and appreciation.

More Ceremonies

Sandy Hook Elementary School also hosted a Veterans Day breakfast on November 12. The school’s PTA oversaw the breakfast, which had more than roughly 150 veterans and family members attend, according to the school. A flag raising ceremony was held outside of the school to begin the day, and third grade students sang songs for the veterans at the breakfast.

Throughout the day on November 12, Middle Gate Elementary School had a number of different activities. A breakfast for veterans was hosted by the school’s PTA in the morning, and two assemblies were held in the school’s gymnasium. Both assemblies honored veterans who visited the school for the day, and fourth grade teacher Linda Baron ran the assemblies. She said a team of people organized the day’s events. Jeffery Jorgenson, who served in the Air Force as a security specialist, spoke during the day’s first assembly, and Veasna Roeun, who served in the US Army National Guard, spoke at the second assembly.

A slideshow of photos of veterans played during the second assembly, and students shared what the word “veteran” means and why veterans are important. At one point, all of the students assembled together looked at the seated visiting veterans and said together, “Thank you for your service.”

After each assembly, the veterans were invited to participate in a “walk of honor” throughout the school. For the walk, students stood outside classrooms and high-fived the veterans as they walked by.

Reed Intermediate School hosted its Veterans Day assembly on November 12. A ceremonial white table was set up in the school’s lobby for the day, and sixth grade teacher Matt Dalton ran the day’s assembly. Roughly 50 veterans attended the day’s assembly, which included having students recite poems based on each branch of the armed forces. Reed students with family members currently serving also honored their relatives by holding pictures of them in front of the entire assembled school and visiting guests.

Everyone at the assembly sang the theme songs for each branch of the military together, and Reed’s PTA served coffee and treats for the veterans following the assembly.

Newtown Middle School held a breakfast for veterans and two assemblies for Veterans Day on November 9. Chorus students sang at the assemblies and band students played songs. Roughly 35 veterans attended the events with families members, according to the school. All of the school’s students attended one of the two assemblies held in the school’s gymnasium.

Eckhardt, Schmidle Receive Awards

Newtown High School’s Veterans Day assembly on November 9 included recognizing veterans in attendance, a presentation by guest speaker Command Sergeant Major Arthur Fredericks, a presentation of awards by the American Legion, and songs performed by the NHS Chamber Choir, NHS Singers, and the NHS Wind Enemble. A lunch for veterans was also served before the assembly.

Near the start of the assembly, NHS Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco told the visiting veterans, “You are a true inspiration, and we salute you.”

Later, members of the American Legion Post 202 and American Legion Vice Commander Department of Connecticut and District Three Commander Mike Kellett presented NHS Band Director Kurt Eckhardt and resident Mae Schmidle with the Community Americanism Award. Both Ms Schmidle and Mr Eckhardt were called to the stage to be presented their awards.

Mr Eckhardt’s award was given to him in recognition of his dedication and passion to teaching Newtown’s youth about patriotism through music.

According to the American Legion, Ms Schmidle’s award was presented in recognition of her dedication and passion to preserving both Connecticut’s and Newtown’s patriotic history, her service as vice chair of a state commission for the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, her service as vice chair for the Newtown Tercentennial in 2005, her work as a former state representative, her work in preserving the town’s Main Street flagpole, and her efforts in installing a plaque at the Newtown Liberty and Peace Monument honoring veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War. Ms Schmidle was walked onto the stage by her son, retired three star Marine lieutenant general Robert Schmidle, Jr.

“Newtown, for me, has been such an enormously special place,” Ms Schmidle said when accepting her award.

Fraser Woods, St Rose Ceremonies

Fraser Woods Montessori School honored veterans on November 12. Students were invited to a presentation given by special guest Newtown Police Officer Richard Monckton, a US Army veteran. Officer Monckton shared stories and pictures with the students from his time spent during various overseas tours with the army national guard. The students asked many great questions of Officer Monckton during the visit, according to the school.

St Rose of Lima School held a ceremony on November 9. During a full-school assembly, the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard led the visiting veterans in carrying the American flag. All St Rose students waved American flags as they passed. Each visiting veteran was introduced by Knight and veteran Scott Anders. Knight and veteran Len Moritz gave background about the Knights of Columbus, who provide a myriad of service outreaches to the parish, school, and greater community. As a recent Knights of Columbus student essay winner for writing on the topic “what does it mean to be patriotic,” eighth grader Kyle Getzinger read her entire essay to the assembly before everyone in attendance sang “God Bless America.” The Knights of Columbus also recognized students who won a recent Veterans Day Poster Contest. Seventh grader Sylvia Pinheiro won first place in the contest.

Later, the veterans visited classrooms to speak with St Rose students.

Across Newtown on both days, people wore red, white, and blue and thanked veterans for their service.