by Bea Peterson
For several years third grade teacher and active Elks Club member Terri Burdick has coordinated the elementary school Veterans Day program. Supported by many other teachers, the event is always special. This year music teacher Bill Brown spoke of his military experience, his job in the band and his time served in Germany. Matthew Sherwin, Patrick Kelly and Kevin Miller all served in Afghanistan. The three thanked the students for their support and the packages they received while they served so far from home.
The ceremony began with the presentation of flags, one brought in by a student in each class. That was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America and the National Anthem. Mrs. Burdick’s students told the history of Veterans Day. The teachers presented Mrs. Burdick with a T-shirt and flowers in honor of her father, Ray Rogers, a medic in WW II, who passed away this summer. Mrs. Burdick gave the history of Taps that was then played by Mr. Brown. The students and teachers, many dressed in red, white and blue, sang My Country Tis of Thee, This Land is Your Land and Proud to be an American to complete the program.
Afterwards, in Mrs. Burdick’s classroom, the students were able to ask the veterans questions. Sherwin and Kelly graduated from HFCS, Miller, from Averill Park. They answered questions about their training, which often included 15 hour days, with no holidays and no days off. They explained they were proud to train and to help support their country. Yes, they said, they were scared when they arrived in Afghanistan. They were faced with a culture that lived in mud houses without electricity, a lifestyle far
different than home. Their quarters were modern day, but outside their quarters was a different world. Fortunately, said Sherwin and Kelly, they were never shot at.