Doane Stuart honored local veterans from the Melvin Roads American Legion Post #1231, the O’Neil American Legion Post #1683, and the Sheehy-Palmer VFW #6776 in a special Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 9.
Students presented our guests with handmade cards thanking them for their service and asked questions about their time in the military. Next, Early Childhood, Kindergarten and First Grade students sang a special song of thanks. Students then shared what freedom means to them, followed with all the children singing “America the Beautiful.”
Students then gathered outside to place a wreath by the monument at the front of the school. Assemblyman John McDonald thanked our veterans for their service and Keane O’Leary ‘27 of Loudonville and one of our veterans placed the wreath in front of the monument. After a moment of silence, the ceremony ended with students leading the group in saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
The event was a homecoming, of sorts, for some of the veterans who attended Rensselaer High School when it was housed in what is now Doane Stuart. For them, it was an extra special treat to tour their school – the Chapel is the old gym, and the cafeteria was where the junior hallway is – and share fond memories of growing up in Rensselaer. Among the alumni was Mr. John Johnas who, along with his father, is honored as part of the Rensselaer Banner Program. Mr. Johnas is also connected to Doane Stuart as he is Sandy Cassant’s daughter’s father-in-law.
Thank you to Assemblyman McDonald and our guests from American Legion Posts #1231, #1683 and VFW #6776 for joining our students for this special yearly commemoration.
View the Photo Gallery from Wednesday’s Event
ABC10 News Coverage: http://news10.com/2016/11/09/doane-stuart-students-honor-local-veterans/
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