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Park Avenue honors local vets at annual Veterans Day Celebration

a child in patriotic clothes sings the national anthem

Park Avenue Elementary School honored local veterans on Friday, November 7, during its annual Veterans Day Celebration!

The 26-year tradition brings the community together to recognize the local men and women who have served in the US Armed Forces. Students and their families, and guests – including dozens of veterans – filled the gymnasium for the ceremony, organized by the Park Avenue Student Council and its advisors, Theresa Canfield and Amy Buliung. 

a group of students and adults pose in patriotic gear in the park avenue auditorium

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David Leach, Assistant Superintendents Meghan McGourty and Cindy Leandro, as well as the WVCSD Board of Education President Keith Parsons were in attendance. They were joined by a number of local officials, including Deputy Mayor Barry Cheney, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, members of the Nam Knights and representatives from Orange County Veteran Services. 

See a gallery of photos from the event below this story!

The program opened with a flag presentation by Student Council members and the Nam Knights, followed by a moving performance of the National Anthem by the Warwick Valley High School Meistersingers, under the direction of Noreen Hanson. After Deputy Mayor Cheney led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, each branch of the military was honored with its official service song, also sung by Meistersingers. 

Park Avenue Principal Bill Biniaris then welcomed and thanked guests. In his address, Mr. Biniaris spoke about the importance of helping students understand the meaning of service and citizenship, two values that coincide deeply with the district’s Portrait of a Graduate.

“Our student body does so many things related to community service and veterans, but this event is an especially great opportunity for these boys and girls to really see true heroes and models of citizenship,” he said.

The Wire Choir, led by Elissa Maynard, performed Vivant and God Bless America, including solos by Grace Cornelius, Jane Cornelius, and Grace Stough. Christian Farrell, Army Staff Sergeant and Director of Orange County Veteran Services, thanked the Warwick Valley community for its unwavering support of veterans. Mr. Farrell quipped, to the absolute delight of the students, that Park Avenue and Warwick’s collective “level of patriotism is off the charts! On a scale of one to five… it’s probably a six-seven!” 

The ceremony continued with Park Avenue students performing You’re a Grand Old Flag and This Land is Your Land, followed by performance of America The Beautiful by the Meistersingers. Student council members took the podium to share their gratitude for the veterans and to present a donation to Wreaths Across America, which Mr. Farrell accepted on behalf of the organization. 

One of the most touching moments of the morning came when Park Avenue students joined the Meistersingers for a combined performance of Thank You Soldiers, directed by Katelyn Mulzett, Keeley Blaikner, and Noreen Hanson. 

Dr. Leach closed the ceremony by thanking the veterans in attendance and invited them to stand and be recognized during a roll call that filled the entire room with applause. The Wire Choir provided a final musical tribute with a beautiful performance of America The Beautiful.

As we celebrate Veterans Day tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11, we will be thinking about all of the veterans who joined us on Friday, as well as all the men and women who have served in our military, protecting the freedoms that we are so privileged to enjoy in the United States. 

A large banner with the word %22TERRANS%22 written on it is displayed in the foreground, surrounded by a crowd of people, some of whom appear to be wearing military or law enforcement uniforms.
A group of young children wearing red and white clothing, some with American flag designs, appear to be gathered together in what looks like a school or community setting.
The image shows a man and a woman standing behind a podium decorated with balloons and an American flag, suggesting a political or patriotic event.
A woman in a black and white patterned blouse stands in front of a crowd, gesturing with her hands as she speaks.
A man in a black shirt is comforting a young girl who appears to be sleeping or resting on his lap, surrounded by a group of people in a crowded setting.
A group of young children wearing patriotic-themed clothing and hats, standing together in what appears to be a school or community setting.
The image shows an elderly man wearing a plaid shirt and a navy blue jacket, standing in a crowded room with other people seated around him.
The image shows a group of people, including a young man and woman, standing in front of a backdrop of colorful balloons and American flags.
A military veteran in camouflage uniform stands in front of a crowd of people, with a large %22Thank You Veterans%22 banner displayed behind him.
A man with a long white beard stands in the foreground, surrounded by a crowd of people in a large indoor venue with a banner reading %22TRANS%22 visible in the background.
The image shows a smiling man in military uniform standing next to a young woman wearing a patriotic t-shirt, with a %22Thank You%22 banner visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people, including an older man with a long white beard and an older man wearing a navy blue jacket, standing in front of a large %22Thank You%22 banner.
The image shows a smiling man wearing a red t-shirt with an American flag design, posing with two young boys also wearing similar shirts, in what appears to be a crowded indoor setting.
A group of people wearing matching uniforms and jackets, standing together in what appears to be a gymnasium or sports facility, with a basketball hoop visible in the background.
A large group of people, mostly children, gathered in a gymnasium with an American flag displayed on the stage behind them.
A smiling military officer in uniform stands with two young girls, surrounded by other people in a room setting.
A woman in a red shirt is playing the violin on stage, surrounded by other musicians in a performance setting.
A smiling older man in a red shirt stands with a young girl in a gymnasium setting, surrounded by other people.
A group of people, including a man with a beard and a young girl in a red shirt, are gathered in what appears to be a school or community setting.
The image shows a group of children wearing red shirts standing in front of an American flag, with an adult in military uniform standing nearby.
A group of people, some wearing red shirts, are gathered around a table filled with various food items and drinks in a hallway setting.
The image shows a group of people gathered in a room decorated with American flags, balloons, and curtains. In the foreground, two young individuals are standing at a podium, one of whom appears to be speaking into a microphone.
A group of young children, some holding American flags, sitting together in a classroom or similar setting.
A large American flag hangs on the stage as a crowd of people, some wearing patriotic attire, gather in an auditorium to watch a performance or event.
A group of musicians in red uniforms performing on a stage with an American flag backdrop, surrounded by an audience.
A group of diverse children, some wearing patriotic attire, stand in front of an American flag backdrop, appearing to be engaged in a lively activity or event.
A group of young children wearing patriotic clothing and accessories, standing together and singing or performing in what appears to be a school or community setting.
A man in a suit stands at a podium, with a woman and a young boy standing beside him, surrounded by red, white, and blue balloons and decorations.
The image shows a group of people gathered in a room, with a podium in the foreground and colorful balloons decorating the background.
A group of young children, dressed in red and white clothing, are gathered together in what appears to be a school or community setting, with various decorations and posters visible in the background.
A large group of children, some wearing festive costumes, sitting on the floor of what appears to be a gymnasium or event space, with colorful decorations and banners visible in the background.
A large group of children, some wearing patriotic clothing, standing in front of an American flag backdrop.
A large group of people, mostly young women, gathered in a gymnasium-like setting with basketball hoops and decorations, suggesting a school or community event.
A large crowd of people, mostly children, gathered in a school gymnasium with an American flag displayed on the stage.
The image shows a group of people gathered around a large check, with colorful balloons and decorations in the background, suggesting a celebratory event or presentation.
The image shows a group of people, including adults and children, gathered together in a festive setting with colorful balloons and decorations. A large check is being presented, indicating some kind of donation or award.
A woman in a black and white patterned dress is standing at a podium in front of a backdrop of red, white, and blue balloons, with a young boy in a red shirt standing next to her.
A group of people, including adults and children, are gathered in a room decorated with balloons and holding a large check, suggesting a celebration or award ceremony.
A large group of children wearing various colorful clothing, including a person in a bright red sweater, standing in front of a backdrop of red and white flags.