Navy Veteran Shares Story With Croton-Harmon Third-Graders

From Croton-Harmon School District:

Students in Ruth Sullivan’s third-grade class at Croton-Harmon’s Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School welcomed a special guest in honor of Veterans Day. On Nov. 15, Stephen Sullivan, a U.S. Navy veteran and their teacher’s husband, arrived ready to share details about his experience in the service. Students formulated questions ahead of Mr. Sullivan’s visit as part of their English language arts study of developing questions. “The students were interested in all aspects of his experience,” said Mrs. Sullivan. “They discussed life on the ship, maritime animals and weather such as large storms and waves.”

Using a large map, Mr. Sullivan illustrated different naval routes, including a focus on maritime life around the Indian Ocean. He shared with students that he had witnessed dolphins playing with the ship and engaging with the sailors on board, adding that dolphins and whales were attracted by the sonar. “We discussed the food available on the ship, the U.S.S. Barry, which won a medal for its food service,” said Mrs. Sullivan. “The children also enjoyed photos of the ship and discussing its stealth design that allowed any 90-degree angle to be adjusted so that no part of the ship could be detected by sonar.”

Additional topics of discussion included the naval uniform, which includes 13 buttons on the pants to represent the 13 Colonies, as well as the hat which can serve as both a flotation and sun protection device. “One student asked Mr. Sullivan if serving in the Navy was a good experience, and he was emphatic in stating that it meant a lot to him that he had served his country,” said Mrs.Sullivan.

Photo Courtesy of The Croton Harmon School District