Brookside Elementary welcomed veterans related to staff and students to a special Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, November 8. Two students led "The Pledge of Allegiance" as the program kicked off. Special guests from Broome County government, including County Executive Jason Garnar and Legislator Stephen Flagg, presented certificates to every veteran in attendance. A pre-recorded video featuring students sharing what a veteran means to them or thanking veterans for their service was played. And the school chorus sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "My Country Tis of Thee." To view the student video and hear the chorus sing "My Country Tis of Thee," visit our Brookside Videos' web page here: Brookside Videos
After the ceremony, students and staff came up to pose for photos with their veterans. We had fathers, a mother, grandfathers, uncles, and even great-grandfathers, including U.S. Marine Corporal Albert Rood, retired. Present at World War II's Battle of Iwo Jima, Corporal Rood was a very special honorary, indeed!
Here are the other veterans who were in attendance:
William Bado - U.S. Navy
Vincent DiGuilio - U.S. Army
Gerald Dube - U.S. Coast Guard
Edward Fink - U.S. Navy
Amanda Finney - U.S. Army
David Finney - U.S. Army
Daniel Fitzgerald - U.S. Army
James Gustafson - U.S. Army
Edward Komor, Jr. - U.S. Marines
Jimmy Lane - U.S. Army
Raymond Lasky - U.S. Army
Eric Miller - U.S. Marines
Jonathan Wanglund - U.S. Air Force
Frank Woodward - U.S. Navy
Colin Young - U.S. Marines
Also honored, but unable to attend were George Frailey (Navy), Robert Horan (Navy), Edward McClain (Marines), Matthew Schneider (Marines & Army National Guard), and Michael Thompson (Navy).
Many thanks to you all and the other veterans in our community for your service to our country!