Wallkill Valley FBLA recognizes veterans
HAMBURG — The Wallkill Valley Regional High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America presented a school-wide Veterans Day assembly on Nov. 11 to recognize those who have served and continue to serve the U.S.
The program, chaired by FBLA member Katie Bertoa and assisted by FBLA member Destiny Van Orden, began with Wallkill Valley graduate and former FBLA member Specialist John Sheldon presenting the American flag; the Wallkill Valley chorus sang the National Anthem. Former Assemblywoman Allison Littell McHose gave insight to the students as to the challenges and pride of being a part of a military family.
The members then presented segments of “Dear America: Letters from Vietnam,” a 1987 Grammy award-winning documentary, that allowed the students, staff, and guests to witness the war firsthand through the eyes of the men and women who served in Vietnam. The documentary presents over 200 letters of service people and reveals the complex emotions and daily realities of fighting in the war; these accounts offered a powerful, personal portrait of the many faces of Vietnam’s veterans. The documentary was followed by an emotional, intense account of the experiences of one of Wallkill Valley’s teachers — Mr. Andy Vander Platts — as he outlined his service in the Gulf War and in Iraq/Afghanistan as well as his involvement in assisting in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack of the World Trade Center.
FBLA members recognize that many service people return from duty facing new challenges in their life, both physically and emotionally. Consequently, Wallkill Valley FBLA members are partnering with the Wounded Warriors Project and serving as student ambassadors of this organization. A video provided information on the purpose of the Wounded Warriors Project of raising awareness of the needs of injured service members and providing programs and services to meet these needs. FBLA be will host a Fish & Chips Dinner on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5-7 p.m. in the high school cafeteria with proceeds going to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Other guests for the assembly included former Wallkill Valley students Keith Cusick, Justin Van Duyne, and Andrew Cross and parent Sabrina Sienkiewicz. They were joined by veterans James Sekelsky, George Burns, and Board of Education member Guy McHugh. The program ended with the Wallkill Valley band playing its “Armed Forces Medley — A Salute to American’s Finest.” This included the songs of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force.