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Cape schools honor local veterans

November 30, 2017

Students and staff throughout the Cape Henlopen School District celebrated and honored local veterans during the week of Nov. 6-10. Students at Love Creek Elementary held a drive to collect extra Halloween candy to send to U.S. troops stationed overseas. Many students donated their own candy. During the week, homerooms packaged up more than 30 boxes of candy to be sent the week of Nov. 13. Students also set a white table for the veterans who wouldn’t be home this year for Thanksgiving. The table was positioned on the stage inside the cafeteria for all to see.

At H.O. Brittingham, students, staff, parents and community members gathered together in the school auditorium the morning of Nov. 9. Fifth-grade students and music teacher Cheryl Howard hosted the assembly with local veterans seated onstage. Students read poems, presented what the word veteran meant to them and sang patriotic songs throughout the assembly. Each student received a small American flag as a token of the celebration that morning.

"We've been hosting a Veterans Day celebration like this for many years," said Ned Gladfelter, H.O.B. principal. "It has really become something that everyone looks forward to each year. Hearing our students sing all the words to these patriotic songs is very empowering, and Mrs. Howard does a great job in the planning and executing of this event!" Veterans in attendance at the H.O. Brittingham assembly included Keith Mensch, USMC; Cindy Webb, Air Force; Jon Webb, Navy; James Weldon, Army; Jennifer Santini, Coast Guard; John Nicaretta, USMC; Tony Yannucci, USMC; Eric Adams, Navy; Henry Griffith, Army; Jack Hudson, Army; Robert Fowler, Army; Ralph Lazzaro, Air Force; Bill Gunter, Army, Albert Earl Crandall, Army; Lauren Thomas, Air Force; Wayne Wilson, Army; James Baxter, Army; James Coverdale and Marcus Kingsberry.

On the afternoon of Nov. 9, Cape Henlopen High School JROTC students presented certificates to veteran organizations throughout the district, and to teachers and administrators who also served the country. The presentation began with remarks from Rep. Stephen Smyk, R-Milton, and closed with statements from Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Robert Fulton.

"The JROTC students do an amazing job conducting this presentation each year," said Nikki Miller, Cape Henlopen High School principal. "It's very rewarding to see so many of our students participate not only in JROTC, but also in this meaningful event." Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, was also in attendance to present certificates to service members.

In addition to the presentations and assemblies, the Rehoboth Beach Sunrise Rotary Club placed American flags along Route 24 in front of Love Creek Elementary School and Beacon Middle School. The Flags For Heroes were displayed Nov. 4-11. The club held a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11.

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