Saint Albans City School Team USA's 7th & 8th grade learning community organized a breakfast and appreciation ceremony for veterans on Friday morning, November 10th. Coffee and donuts were served by students in the school library to veterans and their family members during a 45-minute-long social breakfast. The breakfast was followed by a ceremony of music and three short speeches.
This breakfast and ceremony had the best turnout of veterans, students, and teachers we have seen in many years. Teacher, John Cioffi, and student, Sam Bowen acted as masters of the ceremony for the event. All the 7th and 8th graders attended. The Community Service Open Doors group dropped by to give thank you cards to attending veterans. The 7th & 8th grade band played the national anthem and the 7th & 8th grade chorus sang a special song.
William Drake, a Renaissance student, and Maddy Abair, a USA student, each gave short and heartfelt speeches to the veterans. The last to speak was Corey Chevalier, a former St. Albans City School student (graduate of 2000) and decorated veteran. He talked about his appreciation for the veterans and military personnel of all past and present conflicts who have given us the freedoms we enjoy. He also shared with the audience the honor he feels to have served this country as a marine.
The event concluded with an invitation for everyone to attend the Veterans Day parade and Ceremony that will take place on Saturday, November 11th downtown at Taylor Park.