Kevin Cocheres Bumble'26
November 11, Veterans Day, is celebrated nationwide. For all Veterans of the United States armed forces, this day, Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, generally any member, or former member of the armed forces. Because of Veterans Day, on Monday, November 10th, Greenport Schools held a Veterans Day Breakfast for them. This was organized by our school’s social worker, Jillian Johnstone.
There was also a ceremony for the veterans before the Breakfast. The veterans began arriving around 9:15, and students involved with the NJROTC program welcomed them and guided them to their seats in the auditorium's front rows. This continued until the official start of the ceremony at 9:30. It began with the NJROTC’s color guard presenting the flag, followed by the acappella group singing the national anthem. Once the rendition of the national anthem concluded, Superintendent, Ms. Beth Doyle, ENL Teacher and Teacher’s Association President Becky Lillis, and elementary school principal, Joseph Tsaveras— gave greetings and thanked the veterans for their attendance. Following their brief statements, the head of facilities, Erik Daly, a Greenport graduate and veteran, delivered a speech about Veterans Day.
It was a short but sweet speech. Keeping on the theme of short but sweet, the elementary performances would come next. First, the Pre-K students sang a few songs for the Veterans, melting the hearts of everybody. Following them came a Q&A with five veterans sitting at the front with a few students from 2nd to 4th grade asking them questions. Then, once again, elementary students sang to the veterans —this time, the 1st- and 2nd-graders. This would be followed by the 5th and 6th-graders reading their thank-you letters on stage to the veterans. Once this was finished, there were a few short words of thanks, then the Veterans would be guided by the school's safety patrol to the Cafeteria.
The breakfast began with coffee, orange juice, water, scones, and other pastries set out for them. The NJROTC would ask the veterans what they would like to eat and drink, and they would bring it to them. During this time, I interviewed two veterans who were at the ceremony. My first interview was with Richard Wells, and it went as follows,
Interview with Richard Wells
At the ceremony, Air Force veteran Richard Wells shared stories from his twelve years of service, beginning with his enlistment in 1972. Wells, who achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, spent much of his career behind a desk, preparing award and recognition paperwork for fellow airmen. His first assignment took him to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota—a place he remembers vividly for its brutal winters, including a Christmas Day that hit sixty degrees below zero. Still, Minot held good memories too; it’s where his son was born. Wells’s favorite part of serving, though, was the chance to see the world. Stationed for several years in Hamburg, Germany, he traveled throughout Europe and even parts of Asia. When asked about the meaning of Veterans Day, he said he’s grateful the country takes time to honor those who served. “I think it’s a good way to recognize the people who fought and did things for this country,” he reflected.
Interview with John Foster
Navy veteran John Foster, who enlisted in 1952 during the Cold War, brought a unique perspective shaped by both adventure and history. Stationed in Gibraltar, he had the rare chance to see the tip of Africa from the edge of Europe and to climb mountains across the continent. One of his most memorable experiences came during his time near the Berlin Wall, where tensions often ran high. Yet his favorite story is a much lighter one: while at a nightclub in Germany, he and a few fellow sailors watched an unknown band perform. A year later, Foster saw the same musicians on television—only now they were world-famous. “I stared at the screen and realized, hey, I know those guys!” he recalled. The band was the Beatles, long before they were icons. Foster has returned to Berlin in recent years and even keeps a piece of the fallen Wall at home. When reflecting on Veterans Day, he expressed mixed feelings. He noted that some generations of veterans received celebrations while others, like many from his era and especially those from Vietnam, were overlooked or mistreated. Still, he acknowledges that recognition has improved over time. “It’s nothing extravagant,” he said, “but it’s nice to honor veterans in some way.”
Overall, the Veterans Day event was a success, with numerous elementary students participating, and some even inviting their family members who were veterans. Hopefully, Greenport can continue this for years to come.