BC News

Slingerlands students salute nation's veterans
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2008

In a Monday afternoon ceremony, Slingerlands students paid tribute to the nation's veterans including one of BC's own in Al Karam, a former Marine who is the district's director of transportation.

Mrs. Bacher's second grade class, who coordinate the Veteran's Day assembly, chose Mr. Karam to be the event's keynote speaker.

Mr. Karam spoke about his lifelong interest in joining the Marines and the pride he took in serving his country. He took the opportunity to advise the students to focus on their education and pay attention to their teachers.

"What your teachers do every do is every bit as important in making our country strong as defending our country," Mr. Karam said.

Students honored a host of special guest with a poppy, which has long had symbolic meaning in remembering soldiers' World War I sacrifices for the red poppies that grew on Flaners Field and other battle sites. Honored guests included State Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman Tim Gordon, who represent Delmar, Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham, Town Board Member Sam Messina, Board of Education members Lynne Lenhardt, Lisa Allendorph, Diane Stever and Laura Bierman.

Mrs. Bacher's class led fellow students and all guests in reciting the Pledge to the Flag, singing, "America (My Country Tis of Thee)" and "America the Beautiful." They also debuted an original song, "Veterans Day," a Veterans Day chant, and gave the audience a history lesson on the origin and evolution of the day.

For their efforts, the class was honored themselves with the Slingerlands "Always our Best" award for "going above and beyond" in their contribution to the school community. The assembly was capped by the unveiling of the Slingerlands "Always our Best" banner, which will hang in the main foyer and remind of visitors of the school's motto.

A student organizer of the event told everyone that as they left the school, to think of all that veterans have done to serve our country: "If you see a soldier, a sailor, an airman or a marine, tell them our grateful nation remembers their sacrifice.

 

 

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