District comes together to honor veterans
November 17, 2022
The annual Veterans Day program was held on November 11, at the high school. The program started off with the Presentation of the Colors by Berlin VFW Post 2925 and American Legion Post 340.
“We had 30 or more veterans in attendance. For our small community, I felt that it was amazing to have a showing like that. Our community is proud of those that have served and the school district organizes a program to celebrate and recognize the importance of service and sacrifice to the younger members of our community and so that all can show their gratitude to those who have served,” Bednarek said.
Next, students learned about the history of Veterans Day.
“This holiday began in 1918, as Armistice Day. Armistice Day was dedicated to reflecting on the heroism and lives lost with the end of World War I. World War I officially ended with the signing of the armistice, or peace agreement, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.’ In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the name from ‘Armistice’ to Veterans in order to honor the contributions of all US veterans in all wars,” Berlin Middle School Principal Colleen Pariso said in her speech.
This year’s Veterans Day program was the first program with students in attendance since 2019.
“It was a beautiful sight to see our district and community united to celebrate our veterans,” High School Principal Bryant Bednarek said.
Students from all three schools gave speeches, including the elementary school. Senior Brady Pomplun was chosen to speak on behalf of the students from the high school with his speech “Why is the Veteran Important?”
“Veterans have an extreme importance to our society. They show us courage, protect our nation, and sacrifice so much for their country. They give us hope in the darkest time,” Pomplun said.
Instead of having three separate programs for each school, administration decided that the entire Berlin Area School District would gather in the high school gym to honor the veterans.
“I am extremely proud of our student body and the respect they showed during the program. We are able to come to work and school each day because of the sacrifices our veterans have made, and it is important to remember that it is a privilege people gave their lives for. It sort of makes the stuff that consumes us everyday seem pretty small when you consider that,” Bednarek said.
