Vets Not Forgotten by Westfield Students

A Veteran’s Day Ceremony, rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy, was held at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield on November 19. 

Music – including the National Anthem, America and Blowin’ in the Wind -- was provided by the Sharps and Flats, the 8th Grade Chorus, and the Eighth Grade Band.  The entire student body of more than 700 students, as well as teachers and guests, remained silent while Taps was played by Brian Callahan and Creighton Hendrix.

Students Alexandra Jackman, Evan Gruters, and Abby Rothenberg addressed the student body and guests, describing what Veterans Day meant to them.  Miss Jackman, Roosevelt’s Student Council President, recalled having visited Arlington National Cemetery with her family recently and read President John F. Kennedy’s quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  She cited the many brave Americans who do so much for our country by keeping it free.

Assistant Principal, Brian Gechtman, recalled stories that his wife’s grandfather told about the Battle of the Bulge.

Social Studies Teacher, Brian Vieth, presented the Heroes Among Us Award to guest speaker and Veteran Patrick Boyer.  Mr. Boyer credited his decision to enter the military to his seventh grade teacher, a veteran who provided him with inspiration. He told the student body, staff and guests, “We are each capable of more than we thought possible.”