West Islip Students Show Heart for Fallen Heroes

West Islip Students with HEARTT mentoring group recently created a special memorial display in honor of fallen military heroes and the organization Boots on the Ground, according to a school news release.

Displayed in the West Islip High School lobby throughout December, the memorial features displays of military boots, flags and artistic pieces representing men and women that have fallen during times of war, as well as uniforms from faculty members, their spouses and former students.

The display even includes an original World War II nurse’s uniform donated by the Jamesport Country Store.

“I wanted the kids to be aware of Boots on the Ground because they provide so many services to our former military men and women,” said teacher Virginia Scudder, the founder of West Islip Students with HEARTT, in the news release. “They are founded on the principle of keeping the memory of those who served our country alive. The collection is meant to create awareness of our troops every day of the year, not just on Veterans Day. Many of these men and women who protected and served our country now need us to protect them and provide help to them.”

[Photo caption: West Islip Students with HEARTT members Sami Montalbano, Glenn Greely, Cait McDevitt, Klarissa Desimone and Nicole Mecalianos, with teacher Virginia Scudder, were among those who created a special memorial display in honor of fallen military heroes and the organization Boots on the Ground.]

[Photo courtesy of West Islip School District]