Wantagh Students Get to Host a Vet

In celebration of Veterans Day, Wantagh students in Colleen O’Callaghan’s and Gina Favata’s classes at Mandalay Elementary School spent time speaking with Marine Sergeant Mike Monaghan about his tours of duty in Afghanistan.

During Monaghan’s presentation, the students learned about his experiences in boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina, his reasons for joining the Marine Corps, gear and equipment used and what it was like to be in a war zone. They also learned that it was the Marine Corps’ 240th birthday. Select students also read essays about why they are thankful for veterans and took a photo with Monahan in front of the school’s Veterans Day bulletin board.

O’Callaghan explained that, in addition to reading books about veterans, the students participated in a writing project in which they were instructed to research information about a veteran. If the veteran is a family member or friend, the student interviewed him or her for the assignment.

First photo: Mandalay Elementary School students in Colleen O’Callaghan’s class took a photo with Marine Corps Sgt. Mike Monaghan during a Veterans Day Celebration.

Second photo: Marine Corps Sgt. Mike Monaghan shared photos of his experiences in Afghanistan during a Veterans Day celebration at Mandalay Elementary School in Wantagh.

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District.