Veterans Day programs expand in Cherry Hill
“Talk to your grandparents. Get a good perspective of what life was about.”
That was the message Col. John Rawley imparted upon an ROTC class at Cherry Hill West last week, encouraging students to engage their family members who have served overseas by asking them to share the stories they hold closely.
Last week, 20 local veterans spoke to students throughout the day at West, reliving the old days and explaining to a group of teenagers why they decided to serve.
Later that week, the men and women took their stories to Carusi Middle School. And on Monday, the vets shared their words of wisdom at Cherry Hill East and Rosa Middle School, a first for both schools.
But bringing together a group of colonels, sergeants and corporals who have served in different branches of the military, in various capacities, in wartime and times of peace, was no easy task.
That is, unless, you’re Effy Gittler, a senior at West with a passion for witnessing living history through the stories of veterans.
“My grandfather served in the Korean War and my dad was in the Israeli Army. They taught me to appreciate what I have in America,” Gittler said. “I’m encouraged by (the veterans) stories and the sacrifices some have made.”
As an eighth-grade student at Carusi five years ago, Gittler and administrators organized an all-day event where veterans would come and speak to students, with an opportunity for students to ask the veterans questions.
Gittler said his eighth-grade teacher Dan McMaster, who ironically took a job at West the following school year, helped him to get the program off the ground.
Gittler said he got connected with the American Legion Post in Cherry Hill and the Jewish War Veterans. He also asked his classmates if they knew any veterans interested in speaking at the school. And since then, there’s been no shortfall of interested veterans eager to share their stories.
The program is still thriving at Carusi, Gittler said, under the guidance of teacher Marc Pierlott.
Gittler said he and other student organizers enjoy hearing from the veterans each year. Seniors Shaun Lising and Kelly Sinacori, along with juniors Ray Horner, Nick Morpheld and Chris Anderson helped to make the trip to West possible, proving breakfast and snacks to the speakers.
“Some vets have interesting and funny stories of how they got into the military. We let them tell whatever stories they want to tell,” Gittler said.
Horner, who is set to take over the planning and organization of the Veterans Day program at West next year, said he isn’t looking to join the military, but is glad his peers get to hear from the veterans.
“I like the idea and it’s a really good cause to help. It helps to make the community recognize (what the veterans have done).”
Many of the veterans said they enjoy the opportunity to share their stories with students year after year.
“Telling our stories is a way of passing them on to the next generation,” said Army Sgt. Allen Rodesky, who served in the Dominican Republic and in Dessert Storm.
The veterans said they typically steer clear of telling students, especially those in middle school, the gory details of war. Instead, they often shed light into why they joined the military, the bonds they made and what they’ve learned.
Often, Rodesky said to the class, some think of the military and war immediately comes to mind. But that’s not what serving is all about.
“The military is not about fighting wars. It’s about protecting peace,” Rodesky said.
Army Corporal Thomas Decasere, who served in Korea and Sgt. Michael Bienick, who served in the Dominican Republic, also shared their thoughts and stories with the class. The veterans agreed they were looking forward to coming back to West next year to speak with the students.
As for Gittler, he’s set to graduate in the spring.
And although he won’t be part of the Veterans Day programs in Cherry Hill, he’s looking to take his mission elsewhere. He said he’d like to start a donation campaign for soldiers next year while in college, collecting money and supplies to send to military personnel overseas.
Gittler said he has hopes of studying nursing or something in the medical field at the University of Pennsylvania or Rutgers, and applying his medical knowledge to a position with the Army.
But for now, he’ll keep listening to the stories of those who came before him.
