Gloucester City Students Honor Veterans By Anne Forline Gloucester City News In an effort to help students fully understand and appreciate the significance of Veteran’s Day, Cold Springs School Principal Karen Kessler spearheaded an effort to create a “Wall of Tribute” to honor our Veterans. “This is an important project to get the students involved in,” Kessler explained. “On Memorial Day, we remember the Veterans who lost their lives in battle. On Veteran’s Day, we want to honor all of our Veterans who sacrificed so much for our freedom.” All students and staff in the K-3 school were invited to participate. They were sent home with a paper star to be filled out with the Veteran’s name, Rank, Branch of Service, length of service and War or Conflict. Kessler acknowledged that often there is really not a lot of extra time during the school day for many other projects. However she added, “The ‘Wall of Tribute’ was a good way to open up discussion in the classroom.” In Sara Prepsel’s Kindergarten class, the students were eager to share what they knew about Veteran’s Day. “We will wear red, white and blue to remember to be patriotic,” one student responded. “We celebrate our country,” another student said. “Men and women sacrificed for us,” another chimed in. Mrs. Kessler said the response to the “Wall of Tribute” has been great. She estimated that well over 100 stars were filled out and now hang proudly in the main lobby of Cold Springs School and also in the Early Childhood Center. Some of these servicemen and women include: Lance Corporal John S. Curry, Sr., who served in Vietnam in the Marines from 1959-1967. PFC Robert Elder, who served in the Army for four years during World War II, was also known as “Pop” to everyone, even those not related to him. Mike Hubler, E4, who served in the Army for three years in the 101st Airborne in Germany. Lance Corporal Mark Kozak, who served in the Marines for four years during the Cold War and was an Ejection Seat Mechanic and in the Communication Battalion. Master Sergeant Jason Piccone, joined the Army in 1990 and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant Frank Colvin, who along with his two brothers and two sisters, enlisted in the Army during World War II, was seriously wounded on D-Day and lay on the beach injured for more than a day. He met his wife Christine in London and they traveled to America with their infant daughter aboard the Queen Mary. Sergeant Joseph Florich, who served in the Army for four years in Europe against the German Army in World War II. Steve Paul served in the Navy for ten years during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Machinist Mate, First Class, J. Patrick McShane, Jr., who served in the Navy for three years during World War II, was in Boot Camp when he was 17 and travelled to Bikini Atoll and the Mediterranean following the War. PFC Chris Kusmanick, who served in the Army for two years during World War II, was awarded the Presidential Citation, a Bronze Star and four Bronze Battle Stars. Sergeant Albert Clark, Jr. has been in the Army for six years and is an Indirect Fire Infantryman and also in the 56th Striker Brigade Combat Team. AB 3rd Class Petty Officer, Ralph Conn, who served in the Navy for four years during the Korean War and the beginning of the Vietnam War, enjoyed visiting France, Italy, Spain and Greece, but not Lebanon. PFC Gerald Gillman who served during the Korean War for eight years with the 15th Engineers Battalion and travelled to Germany to build bridges for tanks to cross over. Ronald Brennan served in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart for saving another troop. Master Sergeant Patricia Russell has been in the Army for 22 years. She has served her country during the global war on terrorism and is the first woman to hold this position. Sergeant Michael Underwood served in the Marines for four years during Vietnam. He began his military career as a rifleman in the Infantry and then went to school in Memphis, Tenn. to become an airplane mechanic and fixed airplane engines in Quantico, Va. Staff Sergeants Tomika and Robert Nibbs have served in the Army for 18 and 22 years, respectively, and have traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq and are currently stationed in Waterown, N.Y. Cold Springs student, Gianna Evans, spoke proudly of her Uncle Todd and of his service to his country. Gianna Evans, who is in Dominique Uhlendorf’s third grade class, said of her Uncle Todd, “He fought for a lot of years. He was the only person in my family to fight.” Evans served in the United States Coast Guard for six years and achieved the rank E-5. He served as an Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005. As part of the “Wall of Tribute” exhibit, Evans loaned his three medals to the school so the students could see them. The medals are prominently displayed in an illuminated, glass case. Of her Uncle’s medals, Gianna said, “They are cool.” Mrs. Kessler said that because the response to the “Wall of Tribute” has been positive and so well-received, she plans to do it again next year. -- The “Wall of Tribute” will be on display at Cold Springs School for the month of November.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 16:05:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015