Local Students Honor Veterans (Page

VETERANS NEWS

Viscardi School Veterans Day Parade

This year, the students of Henry Viscardi at The Viscardi Center School honored local veterans from the American Legion in New Hyde Park and the VFW in Albertson by hosting a parade through the hallways of the school. Over 160 students lined the halls waving small American flags, holding signs and handing out handmade cards. The parade was followed by a ceremony to dedicate its new Veterans and 9/11 Memorial Garden, the vision of students in the school’s R.A.M.P. program.

Due to their physical disabilities the Viscardi students often cannot attend their local community Veterans Day parades, so they decided to organize their own accessible parade to take place at their school to honor the local veterans. In addition, this recognition ties back to The Viscardi Center’s roots when Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. founded it in 1952 to show that disabled veterans returning from World War II and Korea had the skills and ability to be successful, productive employees. Viscardi’s students and staff are committed to hosting the parade annually. —Submitted by the Henry Viscardi School

Viscardi students and local veterans. (Photo courtesy the Henry Viscardi School)

Roslyn School District Honors Veterans

There was a sea of American flags and students in red, white, and blue across the Roslyn School District on Thursday, Nov. 10 in honor of Veterans Day.

Patriotic music, performed by the Roslyn High School Color Guard, kicked off a schoolwide assembly inside the gym at Harbor Hill Elementary School, where nearly a dozen local veterans were in attendance to hear the chorus sing songs in honor of America. They included: Roslyn School District employees Keith Macias, Jerry Zee, Christian Foschi, Daniel Liebman, John Palladino, Barry Basik, John Flanagan, Francisco Enriquez, Ron Ebright, Larry Becker, and Jake Starnes. Principal Michelle Hazen and Assistant Principal Justin Gabrus directed the assembly, which was attended by Superintendent Allison Brown and Roslyn Board of Education President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy.

East Hills Elementary School hosted an assembly outside to honor two local veterans: First Lieutenant Allen Gershlak, and Sergeant Paul Cesarski, a former employee of the Roslyn School District. Students, faculty, and staff, together with Principal Sherry Ma, Assistant Principal Jennifer Sheehan, Assistant Superintendent Karina Baez, Superintendent Allison Brown, and Roslyn Board of Education President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy, gathered around the flagpole at the front entrance to hear the children sing patriotic songs and listen to a performance of Taps by East Hills parent and professional trumpet player, Trevor Schaper.

Students at Roslyn Middle School began their day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, observing a moment of silence, and listening to “America, the Beautiful” over the loudspeaker. Roslyn High School commemorated the service of America’s armed forces by holding a school-wide moment of silence after listening to a poignant and meaningful description of Veterans Day during morning announcements, followed by a moving recitation of Taps by a high school student-musician. —Submitted by

Cynthia Younker for the Roslyn

School District

Entrance of Roslyn High School.

(Photos courtesy Roslyn School District)

Principal Sherry Ma with First Lieutenant Allen Gershlak and Sergeant Paul Cesarski

Town Of North Hempstead Hosts Veterans Donation Drive Benefiting Northport VA

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, the Town Board, and the Town Veterans Advisory Committee today announced that the town will host the ninth annual Veterans Donation Drive for the benefit of the Northport VA Hospital. Donations will once more benefit the Hero Hunger Help Project.

“The Town is proud to host this donation drive for the VA again this year. We are committed to helping our veterans,” Supervisor DeSena said. “I invite residents to join in contributing to this excellent cause. This is a town-wide collaborative effort, and a fantastic opportunity to give back to those in our community who have served our country.”

The Hero Hunger Help Project began in 2006 and helps veterans combat food insecurity. As part of this drive, the town is collecting gift cards for grocery stores and pharmacies.

Those interested in donating may drop gift cards off at one of the following locations: • North Hempstead Town Hall,

Supervisor’s Office – 220 Plandome

Road, Manhasset • Clinton G. Martin Park, Front Desk –

New Hyde Park Road & Marcus Avenue • Michael J. Tully Park, Front Desk – 1801

Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park • New Hyde Park Village Hall – 1420 New

Hyde Park Road

In addition, for those who wish to donate but have no way to drop off gift cards, contact Rich DeMartino of the Veterans Advisor Committee at 516-652-6865 and he will pick up the gift card.