Hemlock School celebrates Veterans Day with visit and lessons from hometown heroes
Garden City’s Hemlock School welcomed four veterans on Nov. 6 to celebrate and appreciate their selfless work defending the country. The veterans in attendance—John Chiara, Gregory Pryor, Joseph Scianablo and Patty Strube— were the parents and grandparents of students in the audience during the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly.
The assembly began with an explanation of the military’s branches and the importance of their work led by Principal Melanie Odone. She continued by giving the students suggestions of ways they can thank veterans in their lives, such as through thank you notes and letters.
John Chiara, one of the veterans in attendance, shared the three most important lessons he learned while serving in the Army with the students. “Always be a good listener to directions, always be on time and always listen to everyone around you,” he said.
Joseph Scianablo, who served in the Marines, explained the importance of working together. “The military is one big team that works collectively with the other branches,” he shared, “and we succeed because we work together.” Scianablo also highlighted how practicing an activity repeatedly allows one to get better and encouraged the students to always do their homework and work on their skills to improve.
Following the assembly, the veterans returned to their students’ classrooms to speak more in depth about their experiences in the military, and to answer any questions the students had.
Hemlock School students listened to Joseph Scianablo while he explained the different branches of the military.
John Chiara explained the importance of listening to others to Hemlock students.
Joseph Scianablo explained the importance of working together to Hemlock students.
Hemlock students with their parents and grandparents who are veterans.