Local
Heroes Assembly
A
Time of Honor...
On
September 18, 2002, John H. West PTA, staff and students participated in a
special tribute honoring our local heroes. In spite of the horrific events of
9/11, some good came out of our community. We witnessed a unified effort to help
all Americans. Plainedge
community members came forward to help in so many ways. We wanted the children
of John H. West to recognize the good that came from our hometown heroes,
rather than witness a memorial. We sent home a note the first week of
school asking for family members who aided in the rescue efforts. The notes came
pouring back in. We weren’t sure what kind of response to expect. It was
incredible. Never before has Plainedge felt such a sense of community and
family. Our Honored guests included Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Tow Truck
Drivers, Communication Workers, Children who sold lemonade to donate money to
the efforts, iron workers, veterinary nurses and many, many more.
The
morning began with a Bethpage Fire Truck in front of the building with the
American Flag raised high from it’s extended ladder. Everybody recited the
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and sang the National Anthem. The program then
moved inside where kind words were spoken by Principal Jeffrey Faust,
Superintendent of Schools John Richman, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John
Venditto, PTA Presidents Lori Dietrich and Chris Tarantino. The PTA dedicated a
banner for the school, a new flag for the lobby, and a collage of the heroes
stories. The John H. West
community created a hand-made flag consisting of a red, white, or blue hand
traced by each member of the school including students, teachers, and staff
members. Each hero was
presented with a certificate of appreciation and an American Flag. The program
concluded with a standing ovation leaving many speechless. The Time of Honor was
a day that will not soon be forgotten. It was a day that taught our children to
be “Proud to be a Plainedge American”!
Photos
Our
Local Heroes
