Schools
Family of Fallen Soldier Visits With Wayland 8th Graders
The family of Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino visited Wayland Middle School last week for a special presentation in honor of their fallen son, brother and uncle.
Wayland Middle School teacher Rich Battaglia couldn't get the story of Army Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino out of his mind after seeing the news of the Massachusetts soldier's death in Afghanistan in November 2009.
"I filed it away in the back of my head," Battaglia said.
But is didn't stay there for long. Battaglia soon reached out to Pucino's sister, Lisa, with a request.
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"I basically said, 'What do you guys think of continuing his legacy and making sure he's not forgotten,'" Battaglia said.
Pucino's family was thrilled with the offer and so began a special element of the annual WMS eighth grade trip to Washington D.C.
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Eighth graders at Wayland Middle spend time learning about Pucino and his family leading up to their departure for the nation's capital, Battaglia explained. Then, while in D.C., they visit Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects and decorate Pucino's grave.
Last week, the current eighth graders took their connection to Pucino's family a step further when his parents, sisters, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews visited the middle school for a special presentation and event.
On Thursday, June 13, the students listened as Pucino's family talked about the son and brother they lost and the foundation they started in his memory that strives to assist wounded veterans and their families.
For their part, the students presented a number of gifts to the Pucino family, including a scrapbook of poems, a piece of artwork depicting Matthew Pucino and a check that resulted from their efforts to help raise money for the SSG Matthew A. Pucino Memorial Foundation. This year, the students' bake sale on D.C. Night raised in $1,600.
Perhaps the most emotional gift, however, was a brightly colored memory quilt speckled with patches the kids had designed.
Check out the attached video for a look at the quilt and its presentation to Matthew Pucino's parents."The whole idea is the quilt is going to get passed between the family and the school," Battaglia told Patch. "It's just kind of a symbol of the relationship between the family and the kids who go to D.C. every year.
"It almost feels like he was a Wayland member now," Battaglia continued. "It's a nice bond that's gotten stronger over time."
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