Michael Tannebaum

Summerville High NJROTC cadet Sierra Wilkerson takes part in Newington Elementary School’s Veterans Day celebration.

Michael Tannebaum

Sgt. Nicholas Gunter of the U.S. Army Reserve was the guest speaker at Newington Elementary School’s Veterans Day celebration Nov. 11.

Michael Tannebaum

Newington Elementary student Thomas Brown waves to veterans who paraded around the school.

The rain may have forced the festivities indoors, but it didn’t damper the momentous Veterans Day celebration held Nov. 11 at Newington Elementary School.

Adorned with U.S. flags and dozens of red, white and blue balloons, Newington Elementary held a 90-minute program that paid homage to the men and women who have served overseas as well as those who continue to do so.

For more than a decade, Newington students and visitors alike have been treated to Veterans Day celebrations at the school. This year, Sgt. Nicholas Gunter of the U.S. Army Reserve addressed the school’s nearly 900 students, veterans representing each of the military branches and numerous other visitors on hand.

Gunter, whose mother is a teaching assistant at the school, delivered an emotional speech about his two tours of duty in Iraq and those who’ve lost their lives defending America’s freedom.

Afterwards, Gunter was appreciative and humbled to have had the chance to speak to those in attendance.

“I’ve been all over the world and to several events like this, but I was a little overwhelmed at first and truly very honored,” Gunter said. “I didn’t expect (the celebration) to be quite this big and I’ve never seen so many patriotic children in one place.”

The children, many of whom were clad in red, white and blue, watched the first portion of the celebration, which was held in the media center and broadcast school-wide, from their classrooms.

Afterwards, they took to the hallways where they formed two parallel rows around the perimeter of the school through which Gunter and his fellow veterans walked. During the parade, students waved U.S. flags overhead and showered the decorated men and women with applause and praise.

Gunter, who says he grew up in a military family, believes it’s important that children be taught about the sacrifices made by the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.

“We’re losing veterans from past conflicts so a lot of (children) don’t have the opportunity to get the education first hand, which is more valuable than watching a movie or reading a secondhand account,” Gunter said. “Kids need to understand why we fight for our freedom and the emotions and sacrifices involved.”

Among the other highlights was the presentation of colors by Summerville High School NJROTC cadets as well as the Newington Singers leading the school in “This Land is Your Land,” “God Bless America” and “God Bless the USA.”

One of the events that spoke the loudest was one in which no noise was heard. To conclude the Veterans Day celebration, “Taps” – a musical piece that is standard at military funeral ceremonies – was played over the intercom as the nearly 900 students filed back to their classrooms in complete silence.

In addition to the memories the children will take from the celebration, a tangible reminder will remain in the school in the form of a book that was dedicated Wednesday in Gunter’s honor.

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com

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