McNulty marks Veterans Day with special ceremony

AHS Marine Corps JROTC Cadets speak with Guest of Honor, former POW Mr. Mario Checca.

Students at McNulty Elementary celebrated Veterans Day with "Letters Home from War," a Veterans Day Program and Colors Ceremony on Nov. 10.

Opening remarks by Principal Tom Perillo welcomed guests Sergeant Major Earl Combes, USMC Retired and the AHS Marine Corps JROTC Cadets. McNulty reading teacher Joseph Inglese, who arranged the day's program, served as emcee.

The program was filled with familiar symbols of patriotism. The cadets presented the American flag to the strains of our National Anthem. Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendees listened to recordings of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" and Mark Schultz's "Letters from War."

5th graders Emily Phelps, Diego Torres and Edward Korona and Guest of Honor, former POW Mr. Mario Checca await their turns to speak.

Sgt. Maj. Combes addressed the crowd.

Mr. Inglese, then introduced the guest of honor, Mr. Mario Checca, a former Prisoner of War.

Three fifth grade students read letters from World War II. Edward Korona read a letter from Robert Earl Smithwick, Diego Torres read a letter from Sgt. William Outlaw, and Emily Phelps read a letter from Margaret Chase. 

Mr. Inglese read the famous World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by Dr. John McCrae. The program concluded with AHS senior Thomas Georgia playing Taps.

The day's events were designed to relate the sacrifice U.S. servicemen have made in the past and continue to make on behalf of our nation.