Avon Students Celebrate Veterans Day with Locals Who Served

Veterans who are members of the local Avon VFW post made the rounds at district schools Monday as the school communities honored them on Veterans Day. 

Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272 veterans started off with a continental breakfast and assembly at Avon Middle School on Nov. 11, followed by an assembly and refreshments at Pine Grove School, a Veterans Day ceremony with Roaring Brook School students and faculty at the Avon Town Green.

Flags lining a portion of Route 44 and the memorial in the Green waived in the gently flowing wind during a sunny Veterans Day ceremony.

"Thank you to the Avon school system for making Veterans Day what Veterans Day should be in Avon," Hagedorn said. 

Post Commander Grant Hagedorn remembered six Avon veterans who died within the last year  – Edward Stepien (Army sergeant in World War II-Pacific , 258th Infantry Brigade, Purple Heart recipient), Dominico "Pete" Salvatore (U.S. Navy in World War II, machinist's mate, USS Foss Destroyer Escort in the Atlantic), James A. Katzung (Army Security Agency, Vietnam, Spec-5/Intelligence Analyst, Purple heart recipient, four years of active service), Julian E. Schroeder (Navy Subs in World War II-Pacific, fireman, USS Corporal), donald Reed (Navy Air in World War II, Pacific, pilot and lieutenant, 60 missions, seven air medals, third-youngest Navy pilot), and Charles R. Castle (Navy in world War II, Atlantic and Pacific, machinist's mate, 2nd Class, USS Ford-Destroyer).  

Hagedorn also recognized the troops and all who have served the United States of America. 

Two students read a speech and acrostic poem thanking veterans. Avon High School singers sang The Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. Trumpets sounded the usual Taps call and response. Roaring Brook music teacher Paul Johnson lead students in singing a song thanking the veterans.

Following the ceremony, veterans were scheduled to have lunch at Avon High School and a closing assembly at Thompson Brook School.

Do you have a veteran you are remembering or honoring today? Post your thank you notes to the veterans in the comments!