It was a brisk morning on Friday, November 9, 2007, but students, staff and guests bravely faced the cold air to honor our American Veterans with an assembly at the flag pole as armed services representatives posted the colors.  Military veterans from the Vinal Tech staff were honored and they included John Anderson, Eugene D’Ambrose, Thomas Zavodjancik, Kevin Laragy, Francis McCarthy and Israel Velez.  Mr. Anderson recently returned from a tour-of-duty in Afghanistan this summer.

Four members of the senior class who have made the commitment to military service were also on hand to participate in the ceremony.  The students were Joseph Barbosa, Christian Cox, and Anthony Strong who have made their commitment to the U.S. Marine Corps and Carl Perkins (CJ) who has made his commitment to the CT Army National Guard.  Upon graduation in June, these fine students will enter their military service and serve our country home and abroad.

Ms. Sheila Fredson, Principal of Vinal Tech, began the morning’s events with opening remarks and the playing of our National Anthem.  Ms. Fredson then read President Bush’s Veterans Day Proclamation.  Dan Bradley, senior class president, read “A Soldier Known but to God” and Joseph Barbosa contributed by reading “The Difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.”  The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited by all who attended and the assembly was concluded by observing a moment of silence.  Taps was then played by bugler, LT John McLeod, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to close the ceremony.  LT McLeod is the father of 11th grade HVAC student, Micheil McLeod.

The event was organized by faculty members Marsha Casey, Michael Faenza, Cheryl Lee and Donald Wood. 

Article written by: Michele Leahy

Photos courtesy of Scott Petras, Instructor - CADD