Gabrielle Ames
Reporter
On May 27, NCHS hosted its ninth annual Memorial Day Veterans’ Symposium in the auditorium to honor of all the veterans in New Canaan and surrounding areas.
The assembly covered periods one and six and was a great success. Students from all grades came to honor the veterans. “This has been our biggest event ever, with over 180 veterans in attendance who fought in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq,” secretary Lynda Pescatello said.
Mr. Pavia opened the assembly with a welcoming speech after which the national anthem was performed by the United States Marine Corps Band, which was in turn followed by a memorial video created by seniors Dean Miller and Robby Mallozzi, junior Harrison Harkey and sophomore Kyle Conner. The same video was copied and given to the veterans as a gift at the end of the reception.
First selectman and veteran Jeb Walker followed the presentation with his remarks, concluding his speech by presenting Mr. Pavia with a plaque in honor of his commitment in remembering the veterans. “One who honors veterans honors himself,” he said, quoting the plaque.
Following Mr. Walker’s remarks, the Marine Corps band played a selection of patriotic songs composed by John Philip Sousa. Junior Ali Rusch also sang Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” accompanied by sophomore Alyssa Thompson on piano.
Following Ali’s and Alyssa’s performance, Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Captain Paul Bucha came to the podium. “There are only 84 Medal of Honor recipients alive today, and when you look at them, they’re just like us, no different,” Mr. Bucha said. “Each one of us has the power to change the world.”
Bucha urged students to treat all veterans with the same amount of honor and respect, even if they did not recieve a medal. “It’s not remembering those who died, but why. Live a life worthy of the sacrifices they made, because nothing less is acceptable to them, and nothing else should be acceptable to you,” he said.
After Bucha’s remarks, the Marine Corps Band played a medley of service songs. The veterans stood when they heard their song. Closing the assembly, the Madrigals sang “Lead Me Home.”
David Gomez, director of both Concert Choir and Madrigals, has worked hard preparing his students for this event. “The piece that we chose was very appropriate for this event, so that was our dedicated piece to the veterans,” he said. The students wanted to give something to the people who serve our country and this is our way of saying thank you.”
Junior Olivia Canning is a member of the Madrigals, and really enjoyed preparing and performing for the assembly. “These veterans have put their lives in danger and risked everything to help and defend our country. I definitely thought about their sacrifices and achievements more when we were practicing in Madrigals,” she said.
Check out the memorial video from the assembly below!
Video by ammase25
