LHMS dedicates veterans honor garden
Roberto M. Esquivel/HeraldStandard.comrd.com
Laurel Highlands Middle School principal Mary Macar (at podium) makes her opening remarks during the dedication ceremony of the Veterans Honor Garden and Learning Center Thursday morning.
Roberto M. Esquivel/HeraldStandard.com
Army Sgt. Brad Hogan, Iraqi war veteran, raises the Army flag during the dedication ceremony of the Veterans Honor Garden and Learning Center Thursday morning at Laurel Highlands Middle School.
Roberto M. Esquivel/HeraldStandard.comrd.com
Laurel Highlands Superintendent Jesse Wallace raises the American flag during the dedication ceremony of the Veterans Honor Garden and Learning Center Thursday morning at Laurel Highlands Middle School.
Roberto M. Esquivel/HeraldStandard.com
Laurel Highlands Middle School students waved American flags as they paid tribute to area veterans with the dedication of the Veterans Honor Garden and Learning Center at the school Thursday morning.
With deep respect, a community gathered at the Laurel Highlands Middle School in South Union Township on Thursday to dedicate the new Veterans Honor Garden and Learning Center.
“We know and appreciate the sacrifices they have made,” Principal Mary Macar told the large crowd that gathered at the garden, situated to the right of the front entrance at the middle school, located off Dixon Boulevard.
The crowd included veterans, local residents, students, faculty, staff, school board members and administration, who surrounded the garden, composed of various plants and trees, memorial bricks and benches. An arrangement of red, white and blue flowers was positioned in front of six tall poles bearing flags that represent the different branches of the armed forces and a POW-MIA flag.
The project was a collaboration. After seeing a display at Smithfield Elementary School, assistant principal Michael Rozgony pitched the idea of creating a memorial for veterans at the middle school, with teachers Paul Eckert and James Shwallon, both veterans, coming up with the idea for the flagpoles and Macar enhancing it to create the garden. Students, faculty and staff conducted fundraising for project.
Officials hope the garden, which was three years in the making, will become a center for meditation and remembrance as well as a place for teachers to take their students for instruction.
During the dedication, middle school and high school students who have been involved with the project recognized veterans from various veterans organizations and the Junior ROTC.
Students included Gino Mollica, Courtney Wanson, Patrick Mahoney, Josh Miller, Ben Phillian, Daniel Zuchelkowski, Emily Yarish, Allison Hartsek, Sean Monaghan, Alia Leonardo, Olivia Crutchman, Sarah Zajac, Jerricho Swimmer, Michael Giachetti, Jacob Cummings, Emily Hartsek, Carolyn Vanek, Eric Gabriel, Delanie Hostetler and Jacob Mansberry. Eckert and Shwallon made remarks.
Superintendent Jesse Wallace raised the American flag, located in front of the garden, saying of veterans, “Our way of life and the freedoms we have would not be possible without them.”
Security guard William Pear led the Pledge of Allegiance and other veterans raised flags representing their branch of service, including LH graduate Bradley Hogan, Army; Shwallon, Marine Corps; teacher Randy Geller, Navy; Eckert, Air Force; and Rolling Thunder members Rosemary White, Coast Guard and Irving Rice, POW-MIA flag.
Rice, a Vietnam prisoner of war, later said of the honor garden, “It makes you feel like it was all worthwhile.”
The middle school choir and band performed, and the French Club held a balloon launch.
In closing remarks, Macar thanked the participants and Rozgony said, “America is founded on the principle of freedom, justice and liberty for all. Our nation’s soldiers serve every day to protect our country and its ideals.”
Afterward, Daniel Lukotch, World War II veteran who served as principal of Laurel Highlands High School from 1962-88, said, “This is spectacular. It’s a plus for the school, the neighborhood and veterans.”
Patty DeAngelo, who bought a memorial brick for her husband and father-in-law, said, “I think this is such a great idea.”
School Director James Tobal said, “It’s very impressive and very emotional.”
Students also compiled oral histories of local veterans, which are available at the middle school library and for sale. A copy also will be donated to Uniontown Public Library.