VIDEO: Uplifting Ceremony to Honor Veterans, at Bethel High School on Nov. 10

The 2nd Annual Veterans Ceremony took place at Bethel High School, 300 Whittlesey Drive in Bethel, CT, at 9:00 a.m. on November 10, 2015.  The Bethel Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) presented the colors and other members helped with the presentation. The BHS music groups provided music for the entire ceremony

 

Report by Paula Antolini
November 11, 2015 11:11AM EDT

 

VIDEO: Uplifting Ceremony to Honor Veterans, at Bethel High School on Nov. 10

The 2nd Annual Veterans Ceremony took place at Bethel High School, 300 Whittlesey Drive in Bethel, CT, at 9:00 a.m. on November 10, 2015.  The Bethel Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) presented the colors and other members helped with the presentation.

The U.S. Armed Forces are made up of the five armed service branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy, and were represented. As the ceremony began, veterans entered the room under raised swords from the NJROTC at the entrance.  They then walked across the room and were seated up front while live music music, relating to their branch of the military, was performed by a special BHS orchestra group and choir.  The BHS music groups provided music for the entire ceremony, directed by BHS music teacher Mr. Damon Coachman and also included BHS music teacher Mr. Baumer on stand up bass.

Bethel government and school officials attended the ceremony.  First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker, Selectman Richard Straiton, Selectman Paul Szatkowski, Superintendent of Bethel Public Schools Dr. Christine Carver, BHS Principal Mr. Troetti and Lieutenant Commander Mark Dwinells, sat in the front of the room alongside the veterans.  Knickerbocker, Carver, Troetti and Dwinells individually spoke at the podium.  Veterans also gave touching speeches along with members of the NJROTC.

A short film was shown in which President Ronald Reagan gave remarks.

View the Bethel Advocate video of the entire ceremony, below.

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View photos below:

Photo above: The three gentlemen in photo are purple heart recipients.

Photo above: U.S. Marine Corps veteran Frank Buckley shows the purple heart he received.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CLICK HERE to learn more about The Bethel Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC)

“NJROTC is a youth education program sponsored by the Navy whose purpose is to bring out the best in every student. It is available for students in grades 9 through 12. Only a select few schools are fortunate enough to have such a program, and we are proud to be one of them.  We are a unit dedicated to teaching cadets that “all doors in life can be opened with good manners and a smile.” Our mission is to prepare the youth of today for the challenges of tomorrow by teaching them teamwork and followership, as well as the leadership and management skills needed for success.”