Newtown Middle School honored veterans with a special Veterans Day Breakfast & Celebration event on Monday, November 11.

Students and staff brought in veterans for a special breakfast held in the school’s cafeteria, which was all decked out for the occasion. Many tables were covered with a blue tablecloth, as well as American flags and a jar filled with flowers.

At the center of the cafeteria was a table lined with all sorts of food. From French toast casserole and deviled eggs to baked goods such as muffins and cinnamon rolls, there was bound to be something for everyone on Monday morning. Off to the side of the room there was orange juice, cranberry juice, and coffee for people to round off their breakfast. All of the food was donated from parents, school staff, and the NMS PTA.

Conversation filled the air whether people went to get food or sat down to talk. All throughout the cafeteria, families and friends were just excited to share a nice meal and spend some time together.

For NMS 8 Blue social studies teacher Phil Cruz, who also served in the US Army for 25 years, this is far from his first Veterans Day event in the Newtown Public Schools District. He said that he taught for seven years at Head O’Meadow Elementary School, and that this year marks his 22nd year teaching at the Middle School. Even with all the time he has spent in the district, Cruz said he still feels that same sense of pride with every Veterans Day event.

“It’s nice to come in here and see all the people who served their country,” Cruz said. “I spent 25 years in the service; it was a big part of my life. It set the foundation for the person I am today, and I assume it did it for everybody else as well. So it gives me a sense of pride seeing that, to be among heroes.”

After breakfast, everyone moved from the cafeteria and gathered in the auditorium for a ceremony dedicated to the veterans. NMS Principal Jim Ross opened the ceremony by personally welcoming all of the veterans and guests for such a special day.

This was followed by several students sharing presentations they made based on different branches of the US military and their histories. The students then read off the names of the different veteran guests and their associated branches for everyone to applaud and honor them.

The ceremony featured several musical performances as well. The NMS singing club performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” after which another student played the iconic bugle call “Taps.” Another student came onto the stage to read a poem for the veterans, after which NMS Vice Principal Brian Walsh delivered closing remarks.

However, the celebrations were not done quite yet. The big surprise of the day for the veterans came as they were leaving the building, when they saw all the students and staff lined outside, clapping for them. Emotions ran high as their service to their country came full circle in that moment.

“And that was a really emotional part for the veterans, having so many people applaud and support them after their service,” Ross said. “It was truly an emotional, poignant thing to end the celebration with for them.”

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