A Day Of Tribute

In The Schools

To the Editor:

I want to thank Robert Hoffman, Tom Adams, and Lisa Lengel for the letters they sent you last week to express their frustration with the Board of Education’s decision to drop Veterans’ Day from the school holiday schedule.

I had the same reaction and just chalked it up to one more example of the board being out of touch with the community it serves. Then I received and invitation to a veterans appreciation event at the high school.

The event was kicked off with a luncheon prepared by the Culinary Arts Class. It was well attended by many veterans. Students stopped and talked with us about our experiences and our lives. I sat with two World War II veterans and was honored to be in their presence. I also talked with Dr Robinson and some of her staff and gained a little insight into the thinking behind the program.

After lunch the school held an assembly with student vocalists, the Army 102nd Band and a keynote speaker who had served in Afghanistan. Many students also attended and the veterans were recognized by the war we had served in and our branch of service.

For me this was a better event than giving the students a day off. Too many people take our country for granted. The freedoms we enjoy and want to pass along to our children and grandchildren were won on the battlefield. Most likely future generations will face the same challenges we and our forefathers have and end up meeting those challenges on battlefields too. What better way to educate and inform those who will inherit that obligation than to talk about service to the nation and to explain values that go beyond one’s self.?

As Tom Adams wrote, his time in the Army is a source of great pride. I too take pride in my 28 years of service in the Army. I have three children who wore this country’s uniform (one still serves) and I am so proud of them for their contributions to freedom and our way of life. But I think this program was a better tribute to veterans than a day off at the mall or the movies.

Thank you Dr Robinson and Mr Clayton and I would encourage you to expand this program next year and beyond.

RP Gottmeier, Col USA (Ret)

13 Antler Pine Road, Sandy Hook                       November 13, 2009