NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - The High School Concert Band's stirring rendition of the national anthem filled the Pequenakonck Elementary School gymnasium, as 30 local veterans representing all five military branches walked in to thunderous applause. Students, staff, and community members rose to their feet to honor their friends and family who had served their country.
The Westchester County Police Honor Guard, including students from North Salem Middle/High School and Pequenakonck Elementary, opened the ceremony with a procession, their flags held high under the direction of Officer Sean Armstrong.
Guest speaker Steve Elliot, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, captivated the audience with a flag-folding demonstration. "A pledge is a promise that you're going to do something; it's merely words. Following through with actions is what makes those words important," said Elliot. "The greatest way you can thank a veteran for their service is in the way you live your life and serve your community. Be loyal to your friends and your family, and do good deeds."
Michael Castelli, a Pequenakonck parent and Army veteran who served as a Black Hawk pilot in Afghanistan, spoke about the values veterans embody. "Veterans show courage, which means doing the right thing, even when it's hard, or even when it's scary. They also show teamwork, kindness, discipline, and responsibility. Even though most of us will never have to wear a military uniform, we can still learn from our veterans and serve our country in our own way."
Exemplifying these values, the second-grade Brownie troop presented over $300 they raised from a bake sale for United for the Troops, an organization that creates care packages for soldiers overseas.
Following the assembly, the Parent Teacher Organization hosted a lively reception where veterans mingled with their families across generations, swapping stories and forging connections. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces shared cupcakes with their honored guests.
As veterans exited the gymnasium, smiling students reached out to high-five each one, a joyful conclusion to a morning filled with gratitude and connection.
Article courtesy of North Salem Central School District.
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