Stewart School honors veterans with annual assembly, classroom visits and luncheon
Garden City’s Stewart School honored veterans on Nov. 7 with a special Veterans Day assembly, classroom visits and a luncheon. The day began strong as students welcomed veterans with a standing ovation while they entered the auditorium and took their seats on stage. Fourth grade students led everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the second graders singing patriotic songs, such as “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
The bios of all 21 veterans in attendance — each related to a current Stewart School student of staff member — were shared, highlighting their service and lives after the military. Fifth grade students from Ms. Trotta’s class read letters of appreciation expressing gratitude for the veterans’ loyalty, selflessness and bravery. To conclude the ceremony, all students rose and sang “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and a slideshow played with each class saying thank you.
After the assembly, veterans returned to fifth grade classrooms for conversations with the students about their time in the military. Students asked questions about their experiences, favorite parts of serving and lessons learned during their service. The day ended with a luncheon for the veterans and their families.
Among the honored veterans were current or former Stewart School teachers and faculty members, including Ed Muller, who served in the army from 1945-1947 before teaching physical education at Stewart for nearly 40 years.
Each veteran had their bio read including information about their time in the military and work after. Veterans stood while their information was read.
Fifth grade students read words of appreciation and thank you notes to the veterans.
Veterans visited classrooms following the assembly for questions from the students.
All Stewart School students sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” to the veterans.
Veteran and former Stewart School teacher Ed Muller gave students high fives as he entered the auditorium to a standing ovation.