Fallen Soldier, Veterans Remembered

By Larissa Lytwyn

Sandy Hook Elementary School’s annual Veterans’ Day “Halls of Remembrance” took on extra poignancy this year; one student’s cousin, Wilfred Perez, Jr, was recently killed in action.

Copies of Private Perez’s posthumously awarded Bronze Star and Purple Heart were displayed in a distinct tribute alongside veterans beloved by students and faculty as family members or friends

“We’ve been doing this project for about six years now,” said math specialist George Stockwell. Mr Stockwell conceived the project with former Bethel teacher Jean Terry.

“Every Veterans’ Day, Bethel [elementary] school students found out information about relatives or friends who were veterans,” Mr Stockwell said. “The information was then used to create a wall of remembrance in their honor.”

Sandy Hook School art teacher Leslie Gunn helped students illustrate their Veterans’ Day tributes with colorful recreations of patriotic symbols, such as the bald eagle.

“There are other students — as well as faculty members — who have family members serving,” said Mr Stockwell.

While most students paid red, white, and blue homage to soldiers who had served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf conflicts, some traced familial connections to World War I and even Civil War veterans.

“I think the amount of effort put it in was incredible,” said Mr Stockwell. “The veterans are, and always ought to be, appreciated.”