Day of celebration honors local veterans
The Boyertown Area School District continued the tradition of honoring local veterans with several events the week of Veterans Day 2017. Along with the longstanding day of celebration at Boyertown Area High School, New Hanover Upper Frederick Elementary School and Pine Forge Elementary school held celebrations throughout the week.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Sandra Moyer visited New Hanover and spoke with several second-grade classes. Moyer is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and shared stories of growing up a military family and life in boot camp, even running through a few drills with the students. She also discussed the importance of patriotism and honoring your country. Moyer said, “I want to promote patriotism, unity, teamwork, and honor of country.”
Activities continued Friday, Nov. 10, at Pine Forge with a breakfast honoring veterans. Students were encouraged to bring a relative or family friend who is a veteran to enjoy breakfast in the school’s cafeteria, which was decorated with student-made crafts. This was the second year for the event, which was sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association with leadership from treasurer Krista Gross.
Fifty veterans were in attendance, enjoying breakfast with their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, including Judy Gross, who attended with her sons Lorence, fifth grade, and Dietrich, fourth grade. Gross is an Army veteran who served for three years as a photojournalist.
“I want to show my kids, who may think us veterans are old, that we did important things in our youth,” said Gross.
The day continued with the district’s longest-running Veterans Day tradition, Boyertown Area High School’s celebration. This tradition has been celebrated for more than 20 years and is organized by the social studies department, who also collaborates with the school’s NJROTC chapter and the History Club.
The day began with a push-up contest, monitored by social studies teacher and lead organizer Steve Bleiler. The contest was met with an exciting conclusion as a gym full of students and staff gathered around Erica L. Johnson, physical education teacher, and Ashley Gillman, social studies teacher, as they pumped out push-ups long after all other contestants had thrown in the towel. The teachers tied, with 300 push-ups each.