Every November, the nation pays tribute to its veterans of war by commemorating Veterans Day. In Massapequa, students, staff, and community members in buildings around the district held special remembrances of their own, not just to honor local and national heroes, but also to bring to light the historical significance of the day.

Massapequa High School commemorated Veterans Day by placing a patriotic wreath at the plaque on the main campus to memorialize former students who have made the supreme sacrifice in service to the United States.

High school principal Dr. James Grossane, along with Student Government President Carolyn Miller, Sophomore Class Vice President Morgann McCarthy, Junior Class Vice President Stephanie Pisciotta, and Senior Class President Sam Bryson-Brockman, coordinated the effort for the Veterans Day remembrance.

At the elementary level, special ceremonies took place throughout the day. Fairfield Elementary School Principal Jason Esposito, and Assistant Principal Terese Steinhauer facilitated a meeting of the entire school outside by the flagpole to say the Pledge of Allegiance and to sing "America the Beautiful" as a special tribute to veterans.

Fairfield parent and Gunnery Sergeant Mr. Hodge Begis of the United States Marine Corps, who just returned from a second tour in Iraq, was a special guest at the tribute. Sergeant Begis was recently honored in Washington D.C., where he received the Bronze Star in recognition of his efforts during his last deployment in Iraq.

R. J. Lockhart Elementary School's Veterans Day celebration began with a procession of Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, led by the VFW Post 7763 Color Guard and Post Commander Richard Begandy.

"It's important that Veteran's Day ceremonies be held in schools to emphasize to the next generation the sacrifices of the men and women who have served to secure the freedom and opportunities America has to offer," stated Commander Begandy.

During the program, students displayed their patriotism through student essays and several musical selections.

The history and meaning of Veterans Day, as well as the origin of the traditional military burial song "Taps," was also shared with those in attendance, including Board of Education Vice President Christine Lupetin-Perrino, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Lucille Iconis, and several local politicians. A special tribute was also made to honor local veterans. Each veteran was introduced and received individual recognition for their service.

Later in the day, local VFW Post 7763 and Commander Richard Begandy made another stop at McKenna Elementary School for a salute to veterans, which was planned and facilitated by Assistant Principal Diane Sales. Many special guests joined students and community members in the auditorium, which was festooned with patriotic banners and decorations created by McKenna art students.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto urged students to "look at our veterans as role models, and thank them for the freedoms you enjoy." Assemblyman Joseph Saladino was also in the audience, along with Councilwoman Rosemary Walker, Deputy Mayor of Massapequa Park Joseph Pinto, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Steve Labriola, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maureen Flaherty, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Lucille Iconis, and Board of Education Vice President Christine Lupetin-Perrino.

The ceremony opened with a color guard provided by Post 7763. Students participated in the memorial, reading short essays about the history of Veterans Day; and local veteran Henry Orlik read a moving poem entitled "I am a Veteran," which gave students a glimpse into the emotions felt by a soldier that can't be found in a history text.

Members of the school band, under the direction of band teacher Jessica Wyman, provided musical accompaniment, including the ringing of eleven chimes, to symbolize the eleventh hour of the eleventh month of the eleventh day that the war ended.

Mrs. Sales explained the story behind "Taps," and read a roll call of those Massapequa veterans, deceased and living. "This day is significant not just in history, but in schools across the nation," Mrs. Sales stated. "As educators, we must teach students the important role our veterans play in allowing us to have the freedoms we sometimes take for granted."