NHS Honors Veterans Of The Armed Forces

By Nancy K. Crevier

A respectful group of Newtown High School juniors and seniors filled the auditorium of the school on Thursday afternoon, November 9, to pay honor to Newtown veterans of war. More than 75 veterans were invited to attend the 1 pm ceremony, as well as a luncheon at 11:30 that morning. The program, organized by the members of the National Honor Society, opened with remarks by Newtown Superintendent Evan Pitkoff and the posting of the colors by the Bethel High School ROTC, under the direction of Sergeant First Class Mark Spencer.

Dr Pitkoff began his speech by thanking, rather than welcoming, those present. He thanked the veterans for honoring the school with their presence and for the many sacrifices made by them for the nation’s freedom. He emphasized the importance of students having the opportunity to recognize the veterans. “Thank you all for being heroes,” said Dr Pitkoff, before turning over the podium to featured speaker, Major Mike O’Connor.

Maj O’Connor is a decorated member of the Connecticut Army Guard who served in Afghanistan in 2004. He shared his experiences as a soldier with the attentive student body, experiences that he said were not unique to him, but a common ground shared by all armed forces veterans.  There is the shared apprehension of going to war, the writing of goodbye letters before each deployment, “Just in case…,” saying good-bye to the family, and being shot at for the first time. Most important, said Maj O’Connor, was to not let down the rest of the team, no matter what.

Reflecting on recent US elections, Maj O’Connor reminded the audience that the right to vote is not a right shared by everyone. He was in Afghanistan, he said, when for the first time in modern history Afghanistans elected a president, and when for the first time women of that country were able to cast a vote. The right to go to school is not something every child is guaranteed in other countries, said Maj O’Connor, nor is the right to criticize elected leaders allowed in all parts of the world.

In closing, he asked two things of the students present: first, that on the day off from school November 10 that they take a moment to think about the children around the world without a school as good as Newtown High School, and secondly, that they thank a veteran for all that he or she has done to preserve the rights we take for granted.

National Honor Society members presented excerpts from several historical documents, including the preamble to the constitution of the United States and the Gettysburg address.

Following selections by the NHS band and chorus, closing remarks were made by US veteran and Assistant Principal Scott Clayton. As a veteran of the armed service himself, and also a descendent of soldiers who fought in the Civil War and were with the troops that landed in Normandy during World War II, Mr Clayton said he feels connected to all who have fought for freedom. He encouraged students to read literature to expand their knowledge of those who have served this country.

The program ended with the retirement of the colors and a standing ovation in honor of those veterans of war present.