It began as a program to express appreciation to those who have served our country and has grown exponentially over the years, albeit with the same drive.
At Haddonfield Middle School, veterans dressed in uniforms representing their rank and branch lined tables overflowing with food, mingling with seventh- and eighth-grade students.
The 14th annual Veterans’ Recognition Program was held on Tuesday, Nov. 13 and spanned the school day.
A similar event was held at Haddonfield Memorial High School on Monday, Nov. 12.
The theme of the day at the middle school was the Korean War, with a salute to medical and nursing personnel, said Dr. Dan Colombi, who retired from the Air Force and is a member of Haddonfield’s American Legion Post №38.
The day began with an assembly, followed by a luncheon in the library and culminated in classroom visits.
Students ask some serious questions, said teacher and organizer John Farrell.
“What was it like to be in the military? Did you volunteer or were you drafted? How do you feel about your service?” are generally asked, Farrell said.
“These kids really understand the sacrifice and willingness to serve,” he said.
In June 2010 in a ceremony at Truman Library in Independence, Mo., a video was presented by the government of South Korea to honor the soldiers of the Korean War on the 60th anniversary, said Post №38 member Jim McCullough.
That video was utilized in the assembly, as the South Korean embassy in Washington, D.C., mailed a copy in preparation for the event, he said.
Middle school PTA members sponsored a mid-day luncheon in the library following the morning’s assembly.
At the lunch, said parent Lisa Quanci, students and veterans eat together, while the elders share stories and the students hear history.
“They really get engaged with each other,” she said. “It’s really cool.”
The PTA’s hospitality group provides baked goods and Haddonfield Floral donates the patriotic centerpieces for the tables, said Quanci.
“(The event’s) been building,” she said. “Each year, it gets bigger and bigger.”
Quanci’s son, Brandon, and PTA member Tracy Bateman’s son, Nick, were on hand, dressed in their Boy Scout uniforms.
Veterans always compliment the food, she said.
“They deserve it,” she said. “It’s beyond what they’ve given.”
According to teacher and organizer Travis Thomas, the day helps students achieve a better understanding of the human aspect of soldiers.
“They get to meet veterans face to face, and get an understanding of soldiers as a person,” said Thomas. “It’s really a military made up of our Americans.”
Following the luncheon, the students got the chance to speak with the veterans in their classrooms.
There were 16 classes to speak with, said Colombi.
“Ideally, we’re going to try to have two veterans per room,” he said, with two different wars represented in each room.
This year, said Farrell, there was a decrease in veterans’ attendance, with about 27 visiting the school.
Many of the veterans hail from Haddonfield, he said.
Past Post commander Tom Baird said that getting the word out about the day is key.
“There’s a lot of detail,” said Baird. “It’s really a team effort.”
The Post has volunteered to run Americanism activities in the town, he said, including the Memorial Day Parade.
In addition to the day’s events, students were recording interviews, Farrell said.
“We will take the videotapes and send them to the national archives in Washington D.C.,” he said.
The day ends appropriately with thank you notes being written by the students.
“We’ve got it down pat,” he said. “It flows smoothly.”
And the veterans cherish the opportunity to visit the school, he emphasized.
“We do this every year just to show how much we appreciate them,” said Farrell. “The vets love it. The kids love it.”
American Legion online
Follow Haddonfield American Legion Post №38 online at http://www.h-a-s.org/al38/home.html for additional details, as well as a listing of current officers and committees.
The Post is located at 129 Veterans Lane.
