Written by Autumn Johnson |
Video created by Katie Schrempp and Madelyn Greenhouse |
On Friday, November 11, 2016, The Morgan School spent the morning honoring and remembering our Veterans.
Principal Keri Hagness thanked the residents of Clinton for coming and celebrating this day with us. She introduced the First Selectman, Bruce Farmer. Mr. Farmer discussed the honor, courage, pride, dedication, and integrity the Veterans show every day.
VFW member Joe Diedrich introduced the service songs and announced the different branches of the Armed Services. Following this, Senior Julia Zirkelbach who plans on joining the ROTC, read “You are a Soldier” – Poem by Grace Hays. Senior Liam Gordon who intends to enlist read “The Soldier Poem” by Breonne Perrotta.
The school also listened to tributes from the Morgan Band and Chorus. Soon after, Senior Tyler Dean who is enlisting in the Marines read “Home of the Brave” by Roger Robicheau. Paraprofessional Donna Marie Buffington read “My Husband, My Soldier, My Hero, My Friend” by Courtney Lane. She dedicated this poem to her fellow military families.
As the assembly was coming to an end, Assistant Principal Tyler Webb recognized the veterans that were present at the assembly along with the students with relatives in the military. He left the microphone open for anyone to speak.
Out of the many Veterans that attended, four stood up and spoke to the student body. The first person to speak was Veteran Tom Walsh. He thanked the band and chorus. He also recognized the committee responsible for the new Morgan School. He thanked the chair of the committee, Ethelene DiBona.
Veteran Bud Vece also spoke, he expressed how happy he was to see all of the students. He also discussed a poem he wrote while stationed in Korea with his fellow soldiers. Veteran George Eckleson stated that he was in the Korean War, and participated in the Air Force Intelligence unit.
Lastly, Veteran Leonard Walton spoke. He was a graduate of The Morgan School in 1941. He talked about how he was not on the front lines, but he was the last to volunteer. He then became speechless.
The assembly was a powerful tribute to all of the veterans who have served and the ones who have fallen. Enjoy some of the highlights of the assembly in the video below.
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