Massapequa Elementary Schools Thank Vets With Tandem Ceremonies

MASSAPEQUA, NY. — Fairfield Elementary School’s hallways are usually chock full of students and teachers, but a different sight graced the halls Monday: 55 veterans of the United States Armed Forces, led in a procession by a bagpiper. The walk was part of the Massapequa School District’s Veterans Day programming, which took place at multiple elementary schools Monday.

At Lockhart Elementary School, a ceremony took place featuring the presentation of colors, the national anthem, speeches and a poetry reading, all in honor of veterans from VFW Post 7763 and AmVets Post 88.

Former VFW Commander Bill Colfer said in his remarks to the students that people can serve their country in more ways than one, highlighting the administrators and educators at Lockhart who, “are carrying out the important role of educating the next generation of citizens.”

While Colfer highlighted the importance of education as a service to one’s country, Massapequa AmVets Post Commander Leonard Scheiner used his remarks to emphasize the sacrifice veterans around the country have made across generations.

“Veterans Day is our chance to give a giant ‘thank you’ to everyone who has served
in our country’s military,” Lockhart Principal Michael DeLuca said. “We honor them for their bravery,
their hard work and their deep love of country.”

At Fairfield Elementary, it was the third annual “Heroes Charge,” wherein family members, neighbors and relatives of Fairfield students who had served in the armed forces were invited to meet students in the school’s auditorium, color in pictures together, enjoy some refreshments, and then march through the hallways accompanied by bagpipes.

“We want our students to understand how important it is to honor our veterans and
appreciate what they have done for our country,” faculty member Doreen Walsh said.

Walsh was one of the organizers of the Heroes Charge, joined by Principal Dr. Kristi Gerhard, Assistant Principal Megan Pavlick, teacher Jeanne Genovese, secretary Celia Maus, computer teacher assistant Cristina Mullooly, and the students in the school’s Best Buddies program.