Middle Schoolers to Learn About Service Through Veteran 'Wall of Fame'

John Jay Middle School students were greeted Friday by a new sight in the school's entryway: a traveling exhibition called "The Veteran's Wall of Fame," which displays the names, photos and biographies of veterans in New York's 40th District.

"It's a busy hallway and kids can't help seeing this. It will be a great way for students to learn about war heros," said Rich LePrine, the school's principal, at an unveiling ceremony Thursday night.

The wall was conceived of by State Sen. Greg Ball (R-Patterson), who asked each town and village in his district to nominate an individual to be honored. The 27 nominees were recognized at a ceremony in November, and the creation of the wall will help communities continue to remember their veterans, Ball said at the unveiling, which was attended by school district representatives and Lewisboro town officials.

LePrine added that it was equally important for the middle schoolers to learn about serving their country and it was "special" that many of the featured veterans were from the district or nearby.

Many students in the district have had a first-hand opportunity to hear about serving in World War II from Lewisboro veteran nominee, Robert Williams, who has visited Lewisboro Elementary School's Seniors Day, and the district's

To read about Williams' tales to the students—including the one about his first job during the Great Depression as a delivery boy for a butcher, at $3.50 a week for a 78-hour work week—

One of the goals of the wall is to ensure that veterans are not forgotten, said Eugene Parotta, Croton's nominee to the hall of fame.

“What happens to Veterans like myself is that they are totally forgotten. That should never happen,” Perotta said. “Every man, woman and child that come in contact with that Veterans’ Wall of Fame should know that there was a sacrifice made so that they can keep their normal, everyday life.”

Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts nominated James Thorne, who served in the United States Navy for four years and volunteered for two tours of duty in Vietnam. As a member of Mine Squadron 11 Detachment Alfa, also known as the “Brown Water Navy,” Ret. EM2 Thorne patrolled the rivers of Nha Be, Vietnam, for enemy mines. For his service, Ret. EM2 Thorne earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal/Service Ribbon, and the Vietnam Service Medal/Ribbon with one bronze star.

Thorne is now a retired training officer in the City of Danbury Fire Department and a small business owner.

The wall will tour local municipalities throughout the 40th district. The wall will be on display at John Jay Middle School for a week before it moves to Yorktown High School on January 17^.

Click here to read about all of the hall-of-famers.