Woodmont Receives Video Visit From McGuire Air Force Base

With flags waving, and awash in Red, White, and Blue, students and faculty at Woodmont Elementary School, in Montville Township, gathered, May 23, in honor of Memorial Day. Through celebration and song, the kindergarten through fifth grade students learned of rituals and customs surrounding the holiday. A video “visit” with McGuire Air Force Base was a highlight of the event.

“Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer,” Principal Dominic Esposito said when welcoming the assembled students. “It is a very solemn and sacred holiday.”

Woodmont’s Student Council led the event which opened with “The Star Spangled Banner” sung by the fourth and fifth grade chorus. The entire audience rose to their feet and joined in the singing of the National Anthem.

“Today we honor the soldiers who have fought for our freedoms and paid with the ultimate sacrifice,” said Student Council Member, Abigail Seewald.

To prepare for the assembly, students at every grade level researched and planned a portion of the presentations.

Bunting and poppies, provided by third graders, adorned the walls of the All Purpose Room. Handmade flags, crafted by the kindergarteners, decorated the windows and the path leading into the school.

The Poem “In Flanders Fields” highlighted the poppy tradition.

Woodmont’s upper grades created a video of interviews on being an American. On camera, students in the school talked of why they are proud to be an American.

The school’s video was followed by the McGuire video “visit.” Senior Staff Sergeant, Sondra Lee Ramos, Superintendent of Nursing at McGuire Air Force Base introduced the students to her colleagues. Each member of the military told Woodmont students why they are proud to be an American.

In both videos, the message of freedom was echoed over and over.

Technical Sergeant, Pandolf, an Optometry Technician in the Air Force said, “Believe it or not, there are still countries in the world where people can only say what their government tells them to say.” Like so many of those interviewed, she said she is proud to be an American because “In America we have freedom of speech.”

The “visit” concluded with a big Memorial Day shout out from Ramos to her big sister, Tina Janis, one of the Student Council advisors. Janis, along with Danielle Stoveken and Toni-Ann Raj assisted the students in organizing the event.

“You will be called many things in your life,” Esposito said. “You should always be proud to be called an American.”

The assembly concluded with a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps,” to honor fallen soldiers who have given their lives to insure America’s freedoms.