Newtown High School honored veterans through a celebratory luncheon, followed by a Veterans Day assembly, on November 11.

The school’s annual Veterans Day celebrations kicked off with students, staff, and veterans enjoying a luncheon together in the school’s main gym on Monday. Tables were set up for the special occasion, with American themed tablecloths topped with American flags and bouquets of red and white flowers set up by NHS Greenery.

Students from the Hawks Honors Association also left cards on each table with words of support and kindness for the guest veterans.

Toward the entrance of the gym was a table filled with a wide variety of food courtesy of Chartwells, the district’s dining services provider. Offerings included dishes such as chicken piccata, penne pasta, and tossed salad, as well as sweets, including chocolate chip cookies and macadamia nut cookies. Nearby, a giant vanilla cake topped with splashes of red, white, and blue icing also attracted attention. In the center of the cake was an American flag made out of icing, with a message honoring veterans.

After the luncheon, everyone moved into the auditorium for the Veterans Day assembly. Students from the ten social studies classes held at that time also attended the event.

The assembly started with NHS Social Studies Department Chair Amy Deeb welcoming everyone, followed by Hawks Honors Association students Francesca Glazer and Sophia Wade leading, asking everyone to stand and then join them for the Pledge of Allegiance.

NHS Principal Kimberly Longobucco took the stage and gave her opening remarks, saying that this celebration is a highlight and something that staff looks forward to each year. She expressed how grateful she was to have school on Veterans Day because sharing the importance and meaning of the day with students “certainly wouldn’t be possible if we had the day off.

“Today, we’re so happy to be sharing Veterans Day with you all, the guests of honor, the people that we look up to and respect most: our veterans,” Longobucco said.

She thanked several people and groups for their efforts and contributions to help make the event happen. This included Deeb and social studies teacher Elie Mouchantat, who helped organize this event, as well as the Hawks Honors Association, NHS Music Department, and the culinary department. Longobucco shared the history of Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, and reasons why the day means so much to her.

“To all the veterans here today, thank you will never be enough. You risked your lives to save ours. You wore your uniform with pride, you took your role seriously, and for that, we are forever grateful,” she said. “You are a true inspiration, and the perfect role models for our students and community. We salute you today and every day.”

Glazer and Wade returned and led the Recognition of Veterans, calling on veterans to stand and be recognized for the wars or other conflicts they participated in.

A Day To Remember

NHS Social Studies teacher Jason Edwards took the stage next to introduce the assembly’s Guest of Honor: Manager of Veterans Advocacy and Assistance for the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs John S. Carragher. Edwards noted Carragher’s 39 years of service to the state and nation before he retired. Carragher now manages and helps veterans across the state and is also the director for Connecticut’s State Veterans Cemetery.

Calling himself a soldier for life and a proud American veteran, Carragher thanked everyone for letting him speak on such a special day. His gratitude carried to the Newtown Public Schools for taking time to recognize veterans for their service and “to educate our young people on the sacrifices made by generations of our fellow Americans.” He said he was humbled to be in the presence of heroes, and proud to call them brothers and sisters.

“To my fellow veterans, thank you for your service. It does not matter where or when you served, what you did, or what your perceived accomplishments were,” Carragher said. “The fact is that you stood up and took an oath to something greater than yourself.”

Carragher recited a quote from President John F. Kennedy, stating, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

He asked that everyone consider President Kennedy’s words as they left, and challenged them to seek out the call to service in whatever form it may take for them.

On behalf of American Legion Post 202, First Selectman Jeff Capeci presented the 2024 Community Americanism Awards to two individuals who have shown continuous service and support to the Newtown community: Bill Glass and Anna Wiedemann.

Glass has lived in Newtown with his family for over 40 years and been a professional educator for most of his life. He was the deputy superintendent of Danbury Public Schools, as well as an adjunct professor and lecturer at Yale University, Columbia University, and Western Connecticut State University.

Capeci further noted Glass currently devotes most of his time to his passion for photography and that “his caring, love, and support of his neighbors ... knows no bounds.” Glass is not only a press photographer for this newspaper, he is also the pro bono photographer for Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Newtown Historical Society, C.H. Booth Library, American Legion Post 202, Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, and more.

Wiedemann lived in Newtown for over 33 years and, in that time, served as a PTA president, was a member of Women Involved in Newtown (WIN), Newtown VNA, as a member and chair of the Commission on Aging, and in many other groups and roles throughout town.

Although she and her husband have moved to neighboring Southbury, Wiedemann continues to remain very active in Newtown. She currently co-chairs the Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative. Her community involvement also carries over into driving for Meals on Wheels for 20 years, spending several years as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer Coordinator, and becoming a CHOICES counselor, helping people with Medicare enrollment.

Capeci said Wiedemann commits herself to every cause she takes up and uses every opportunity to “make change and truly support the Newtown community.”

American Legion 202 Post Commander and District 3 Chaplain Donna Monteleone then congratulated Glass and Wiedemann for their hard work and dedication to the Newtown community. She also extended her gratitude to the school district and its community for their continued support and kindness.

NHS Assistant Principal Paul Ribeiro ended the event with some closing remarks, thanking the distinguished veterans and their families for “graciously giving their time here today.” He called back to Carragher’s speech earlier that afternoon, adding, “As we say thank you to our veterans today, I ask all of you here to reflect on the values and characteristics of our service men and women, and to try to incorporate those into your daily lives.”

The assembly also featured performances by The NHS Chamber Choir, NHS Singers, and NHS Wind Ensemble.

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