North Broad Elementary students learn the importance of Veterans Day

By Nick Will, Oneida Dispatch POSTED: 11/10/14, 11:46 AM EST

ONEIDA>>Students at North Broad Elementary School spent Monday, November 10 with Veterans, thanking them for their service and learning just what having the school day off on Nov. 11 is all about.

All of the North Broad School students gathered for an assembly in the Cafeteria in the beginning of the day, learning about why Veterans Day is important from classmates and other important people.

Senator David Valesky spoke to the students, urging them to not only remember the sacrifice of veterans on Nov. 11, but every day of the year when the look at the flag.

“We are all special here,” Valesky said. “But, these men and women sitting in front of us today are extra special. Nov. 11 is not just a day to relax, it’s also a day to remember the sacrifices they’ve made, but, those sacrifices should be remembered every day. Think about our Veterans when you see the flag and when you do the pledge of allegiance every morning.”

The school sang “this land is your land” and the school’s chorus sang a song called “Soldier” for their guests. Former North Broad Student Gloria Twal returned to North Broad to recite her winning essay about why Veterans Day is so important.

After the presentation, students were each paired with a Veteran and conducted their own interviews, learning about where they served and what branch of the military they were part of.

“I learned that my grandpa fought in Vietnam, and that he went into the service when he was 19,” said 9-year-old Kannon Curro. “Veterans Day is a time for you to think about someone in your family that served, or your friends. You shouldn’t have to be told to remember them, you just do.”

“I like this program,” said Frank Curro. “When I was in the service and in school, we didn’t have anything like this.”

“It’s great that these students realize what happened,” said George Hopkins. “It doesn’t happen often enough that younger people realize what we do. What they don’t realize, however, is that we are their not just for our freedoms, but for our families.”

“I learned that Mr. Todd was a cop in the military,” said 9-year-old Taylor Faniglula. “He was 18 went he went into the service and 21 when he got out.”

“I think this is an excellent idea,” said Joe Todd, who served as a member of the military police. “It helps them feel the same pride in our country and themselves that we do. Hopefully it will continue on into their generation.”

Fourth Grade teachers Jennifer Armlin and Michelle Crowley continue to organize the event with the help of Jim Tuggy. Dunkin Donuts donated coffee and doughnuts for the program, and the Elk’s Club helped with the event as well.

“It’s so important to let the kids know why they have Nov. 11 off,” Crowley said. “It’s why they stand for the pledge and look to the flag. We do this program so that they won’t take things for granted, and, they’ll remember that everything they have is because of these men and women.”

http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20141110/north-broad-elementary-students-learn-the-importance-of-veterans-day