Portraits, Letters, and Presentation

Posters with Pull-Quotes

Answers to the final interview question, "What advice do you have for young people today?"

Gracing the walls of our classroom and shared with veterans and their families

Sergeant Rodney Croft

"Keep this dream of America alive.

Be an individual not just for yourself.

Be an individual for everyone."

Sergeant

Floyd Van Alstyne

"Read, study, and learn the Vermont and the United States Constitutions. History repeats itself - you need to protect your freedoms that others have fought so hard to preserve."

Chief Warrant Officer 4

James J. Hasson

"The freedoms we enjoy today came at a tremendous cost ...

... keep your eyes on that star and keep the dream alive."

Specialist 5

Fred Blood

"New opportunities arise when you do the very best you can in every situation you find yourself in each and every day."

Ensign

Coleman "Bill" Hoyt

"Live a life of purpose ...

... a life of service to others."

Lieutenant

Airell B. Jenks

"Make a decision knowing it won't be your final one; always keep an open mind."

Thank You Letters

Click here to read all the letters written to the veterans

Excerpts from two letters from students to veterans of the Second World War

Students' Welcome Message

Welcome to family, friends, and especially to: Specialist 5 Fred Blood, Sergeant Rodney Croft, Chief Warrant Officer 4 James J. Hasson, Ensign Coleman “Bill” Hoyt, Lieutenant Airell B. Jenks, and Sergeant FLoyd Van Alstyne. Thank you for coming to celebrate service and friendship with us tonight. We really appreciate the chance to get together again.

To get started, Mrs. Brown would like to say a say a few words. After that, we students would like to share our thank you letters and the words of advice from the veterans here tonight that really meant a lot to us. We picked out the words that meant the most to us and added them to the portrait pictures. There are also examples of our writing from this year to view after the presentation - most of it goes with our reading of Louie Zamperini’s WWII biography, Unbroken, and our thank yous to our new friends. You can also view the interview questions we asked - most of the veterans wanted to know - “Wow. Am I really answering all of these?” The stories we heard are unforgettable. Thank you all so much.

Mrs. Brown's Welcome Message

Welcome students, families, and members of Woodstock’s American Legion- we so appreciate your effort in coming here again to spend a little more time with us. Tonight is the culmination of a question the students asked themselves, "How can we honor local veterans?" The students’ answer was rather simple, yet powerful - listening and remembering is a great place to start. Thank you all again for being a part of that.

A few quick words for my students before we get to the good part: I hope you carry with you the stories and advice of your new friends as you continue your journey through high school. For the duration of this project, you showed sincere interest in the sacrifices and lives of others. We have learned from these veterans that this is the key to a fulfilling life - to a person, each one of the veterans here tonight encouraged you to live your life in service to others. They reminded us that being true individuals, the best version of yourselves, can play a part in serving others and keeping the dream of American alive. I hope you continue to discover what makes each of you unique! Try not to be afraid as you search for a life of purpose. Remember the advice of Lieutenant Jenks: learn to fight for the person next to you before yourself - that’s where you will find bravery.

Now the students would like to share with the audience their letters to each of the veterans.

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