The Lower School has started a new Veterans Day tradition. For the second year, Doane Stuart welcomed local veterans to a special program in their honor. This year’s program was held in lieu of the monthly Lower School Morning Meeting, giving parents and grandparents the opportunity to participate. Invited again this year were veterans from The Gerald O’Neil Post #1683, The Melvin Roads Post #1231, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7338, and Sheehy-Palmer VFW Post #6776.
Students paraded in singing “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” playing instruments and waving American flags. Matthias Taylor ‘26 of Albany read a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Eloise Neidl ‘26 of Albany. Early Childhood through Grade 1 sang the “Thank You Song” followed by Grades 2-4 singing “God Bless America.”
Students from each grade then shared their messages of thanks to the veterans:
Early Childhood: Addison Ferrari ‘31 of Clifton Park
Kindergarten: Jimmy DiPreta ‘30 of Clifton Park
Grade 1: Victoria Chung ‘29 of Rensselaer
Grade 2: Cricket Berkman ‘28 of Albany
Grade 3: Ali Deshaw ‘27 of Waterford
Eloise shared the history of how the poppy came to be a symbol of remembrance, and Zionna Edmunds ‘26 of Troy, Matthias and Hannah Strevell ‘26 of Valatie read “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae (1872-1918).
All of the students then presented veterans with handmade cards thanking them for their service.
After students handout their cards and said their thanks, the ceremony moved outside to the veterans monument in the front of the school. Students planted flags around the monument and Cora Harbeck ‘28 of Rensselaer assisted in the placing of a wreath.
The ceremony concluded with a singing of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and a final message of thanks from Lower School Director Sandy Cassant.
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Our Veterans Day ceremony was featured on WNYT. Thank you to John Craig for joining us.