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,
Kevin: When were you enlisted?
Mr. Wells: I was enlisted in the Air Force from November 29th, 1972, to August 16th, 1984.
Kevin: What rank are you?
Mr. Wells: I reached the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Kevin: What did you do in the Air Force?
Mr. Wells: I worked primarily at a desk, I filed paperwork for those who were receiving awards or recognition. I wrote it for other soldiers.
Kevin: Where were you stationed?
Mr. Wells: I was first stationed at the Air Force base in Minot, North Dakota. It was a shock to me when I first got there, as I remember it was 60 degrees below zero on Christmas Day. During my time there, I also had my son.
Kevin: What was your favorite experience while in the military?
Mr. Wells: Travelling around the world. It was fun. I was stationed in Hamburg, Germany, for a few years, and I got to travel to Italy and Belgium as well, and some places in Asia too.
Kevin: Final Question, what is your opinion on Veterans Day?
Mr. Wells: I am glad that they do, I think that it is a good thing, and to honor those who fought and did stuff for this country… I think its a good way to honor them.
The Second Interview was with John Foster.
Kevin: What branch did you enlist in?
Mr. Foster: I enlisted in the Navy in 1952, during the Cold War.
Kevin: Where were you stationed?
Mr. Foster: I was stationed at Gibraltar.
Kevin: What were your favorite memories during your enlistment?
Mr. Foster: I got to see Africa from the end tip of Europe, and got to climb mountains in Europe. Though my favorite memory is when I was in Germany. I was stationed at the Berlin Wall when it got a bit tense, which was interesting, being at the front, looking over at the other side. Although that isn’t my favorite memory. I was at a bar with a few other soldiers, and we got to watch this band perform, they were pretty good, however we didn’t know who they were since they were not very popular. Though the next year, I was watching the television and I saw some familiar people. I stared harder then I realized, hey, I recognize these people! The people I saw on the television were the same people I saw a year before performing at the nightclub. Those people were the Beatles. So it is pretty cool that I was able to see them before they became so famous.
Kevin: Have you been able to return to the Berlin Wall since then? To see how much it has changed?
Mr. Foster: Yes, I have been there within the last few years. It was interesting to see the wall gone. Actually, somebody I know gave me a piece of the Berlin Wall; I have it at home.
Kevin: Final Question, what is your opinion on Veterans Day?
Mr. Foster: I personally am conflicted on it, the boys before me got treated like heroes, and were welcomed as such, but my guys were forgotten, we didn’t get a huge heroes welcome like them. Although it isn’t as horrid as how the Vietnam veterans were treated, they were ridiculed; it was horrible. It disappointed me, and I didn’t really like Veterans Day because of it, since we didn’t treat them right. Though as time moved on, it has had a commupance, and the treatment of them has progressively become more positive. Overall, I am okay with it, I don’t think it's anything extravagant, but it’s nice to honor the veterans in a 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.