Schroon Lake Central School to host Veterans Day Assembly

SCHROON LAKE | The Schroon Lake Central School (SLCS) auditorium will host the annual Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m., and all community members are invited and encouraged to attend. "Our annual recognition of our veterans is something that we have embedded as a tradition at SLCS. We have a deep history of military service in Schroon Lake, and many alumni who have served," said SLCS History teacher Lance Paradis, who took over as organizer for the assembly after Laura Corey retired last year. "As an alumni of Schroon Lake myself, I got to experience this as a student and how impactful it is." According to Paradis, SCLS strives to provide a strong civics education to all students and believes that recognizing veterans is a key part of teaching these civic values. "For many of our students, it's also an incredible sense of pride to see their loved ones recognized in person or in the slideshow," noted Paradis. "It's also a great way for our school to give back to and recognize the importance of our community and its members, and broaden our focus beyond just the curriculum we teach. We want the community to know that we support and appreciate them, as much as they support and appreciate the school. This year's presentation will feature a three-song selection by the middle school and high school band, and two songs by the high school chorus. Elementary students will present gifts to veterans in attendance, with Paradis, Superintendent Kemm Pemrick, and Schroon's American Legion Post 982 Commander Pete Johnson offering thoughtful remarks. Audience members will be treated to a Veterans Recognition Slideshow, and the playing of taps by VFW Post Commander Ed Donley, with the echo is set to be sophomore Emma Whitley (or band teacher Michael Tracy). "As a student, I always looked forward to this ceremony. It was always emotional to see all our friends and family, and those veterans who were no longer with us on the slideshow with patriotic music playing in the background," Paradis reflected. "Growing up and experiencing the horrific events of 9/11, I think that this ceremony and its focus on service, sacrifice, and gratitude shaped many of my and my classmates' life decisions, and led to many students choosing pathways of service to their communities for their career choices. I hope that our students continue to value this ceremony, and the values it embodies." Terry Johnson, Schroon's American Legion Adjutant, who served in the Air Force, has been attending the assembly for a decade with her husband. For Johnson, it is important that veterans continue to remain visible within the community, their experiences, though at times upsetting about unimaginable conditions, are still relevant, reminding the public of the fortune it is to have freedom, and that it was fought for. "Everyone needs to know that freedom is not free; there have been a lot of sacrifices over many years, and those sacrifices continue today," she acknowledged. "The students seem to understand a lot about veterans and what they have done for their freedom. The more educated the students and community members are, the more knowledgeable they will become about what veterans have done for our country." During Schroon's Fourth of July Parade, the Legion and the VFW are always the first float in the lineup. Disappointingly, Johnson has noticed that many spectators remain seated as the American flag passes by. "We must instill in people to stand and respect our flag," she said. Though the Johnsons are no stranger to the assembly, as every year they contact the veterans and assist with getting the word out, the personal impact it has never diminished. "The entire assembly is so meaningful to all of us," Johnson admitted. "When the little children hand us drawings they have made and cards they have written to us, it is so touching. The slideshow is fun to see our fellow veterans' photos taken decades ago in uniform. Our photo is from 1976! It's also great seeing recent graduates of SLCS now serving our country." The SLCS Pre-K class has learned the Pledge of Allegiance and will be leading the auditorium in its recitation. Johnson's grandson, Jamison, is in that class and his voice will be part of the delivery. "I guarantee that will be my favorite part this year," Johnson said. Johnson also expressed that if a veteran is suffering with PTSD or or other service-related issues and disabilities, to please reach out for help. "This ceremony isn't possible without our veterans, the local VFW and American Legion Commanders, our band teacher Michael Tracy, our music teacher Anita Masiello, our tech teacher Brett Bernhard and his videography students," Paradis added. Veterans will enjoy light refreshments in the staff room at 1:30 p.m. the day of the assembly. Community members may enter through the main entrance at 1:45 p.m. SLCS is located at 1125 1125 US-9, Schroon Lake, NY 12870.

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Schroon Lake Central School to host Veterans Day Assembly

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