Marston School Honors Veterans

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School Hosts Assembly With Music and Essays

By Nancy Rineman

Hampton Union, Friday, November 16, 2007

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]
Marston School student Alyssa Perzanoski leads her school and visiting Post 35 Legion veterans in singing the national anthem during Friday's ceremony.

HAMPTON -- Local veterans were greeted by a gymnasium full of applauding students as they made their way into Marston School for Friday's Veterans Day observance.

Student color guards presented the colors prior to a blend of young voices saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Alyssa Perzanoski led students, staff, and visitors in the National Anthem, and Kathryn Hamblet played guitar as she and fellow students Sarah Coffen and Paige Duffy sang "America."

Students from Grades 3, 4 and 5 read their winning essays on "What Veterans Day Means to Me."

Fourth-grader Kate Casassa shared her thoughts on Veterans Day. "I think Veterans Day is a day to think about the people who have risked their lives for us, and spent their lives defending and helping our country," Kate said as part of her winning essay. "I think the veterans don't get enough credit," said fourth-grader Tyler Aversano in his speech. "They are the reason America stands right now."

American Legion Post 35 Commander Ralph Fatello used his own special technique for energizing the students sitting in the bleachers and on the floor in front of him.

"Who just won the World Series?" Fatello asked students. When the answer, "Red Sox," was returned with enough volume, Fatello asked them a similar question about the Patriots. "What colors are the Red Sox and Patriots uniforms?" asked Fatello.

"Red, white, and blue!" was the thunderous response. "It's a great time to be a sports fan," Fatello said, reminding students that teamwork is what propels these New England athletes.

"And what is America's team?" asked Fatello. "Team USA!" roared the students.

Fatello had a suggestion for all the students who said they have veterans in their families.

"You need to do yourselves and those veterans a favor and get on the phone and say thank you," Fatello told the students.

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