East Pikeland Elementary School teachers Kelly Staszak and Kassie D’Onofrio teamed up with students to create a Veterans’ Wall Of Honor, a 10-foot by 20-foot American Flag fashioned from paper “bricks” bearing the names of PASD teachers and staff, and family members of East Pikeland students who served in the military.
“Our Wall Of Honor says ‘America Is the Land of the Free Because of the Brave,’” said East Pikeland Principal Maryann T. Cox. “Thank you to the many family members and friends of the East Pikeland School Community for your brave service.”
Ms. Staszak and Ms. D’Onofrio pieced the flag together and hung it on a wall near the main entrance of the elementary school on Friday before Veterans’ Day.
“The students were amazed,” said Ms. Staszak. “They didn’t get to see it while it was being pieced together so they were very impressed.”
The Wall Of Honor was dedicated during a Veterans’ Day ceremony. Students sang “God Bless the USA,” and William Miller, father of two East Pikeland students, fourth-grader Christina and first-grader Corrine, played Taps.
PASD Technology Director George Frazier, a an active United States Marine from 1988-1992 and a Marine Reservist from 1993-1998, served during Desert Storm as well as completed a second tour of duty with peace-keeping forces in the Persian Gulf after Desert Storm.
He spoke to the students about the importance of taking the time to honor Veterans not just on Veterans’ Day but throughout the year.
“He did such a wonderful job with the kids, he really knew how to bring the Veterans’ Day message down to their level,” said Ms. Staszak.
“It is important that we recognize how much we have in the United States. When you go into some countries, you see real poverty, where large numbers of men, women, and children have literally nothing, nothing but a little bit of clothing; where they spend their days searching for food and water; where there are no agencies to provide even a little food and shelter,” said Mr. Frazier. “We need to recognize how fortunate we are to be United States citizens, and we need to thank those that have given us the freedom we enjoy. We need to thank our Veterans for giving us that freedom.”
PASD STAFF ON THE VETERANS' WALL OF HONOR