North Salem Students Honor Our Veterans

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Pequenakonck Elementary School hosted a poignant ceremony for its inaugural Veterans Day Assembly, welcoming more than 40 local veterans representing five military branches. 

The honored guests were the parents, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, coaches, and neighbors of Pequenakonck students, who held hands with their veteran guests as they made their way through the applauding crowd filling the gymnasium.

The ceremony began with a procession led by the Westchester County Police Honor Guard, which includes students from the North Salem Middle/High School. As the Honor Guard held their flags high, the High School Concert Band, under the direction of Stephen Austin, performed a stirring rendition of the national anthem.

“Veterans are filled with patriotism, a feeling of love and loyalty and devotion to one’s country. Sometimes we have to fight for our rights and freedoms, and veterans are very proud to do that,” said guest speaker Steve Elliot, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He spoke about the significance of Veterans Day and provided a flag-folding demonstration to educate the students on proper flag etiquette.

One hundred-year-old U.S. Army Air Force veteran Quentin Nicastro shared his wartime experiences, recounting being drafted as a teenager, training with his flight crew, and serving during WWII. His great-grandson, a Pequenakonck student, escorted him to a small reception after the ceremony.

“The Marine Corps is always going to be part of me,” said Darien Huff, a recent U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Pequenakonck parent. He said the event provided a meaningful sense of camaraderie among the veterans. “We’re all brothers here. That 100-year-old vet, he’s my brother too.”

“We’re all very proud to have served, and to have the school put something like this together for us is very appreciated,” said Elliot. “It’s great for the students and faculty to learn about veterans and their service.”

The school’s first-ever Veterans Day Assembly served as an inspiring tribute, fostering connections and profoundly honoring the brave service of our local veterans.

Article courtesy of North Salem Central School District.