Cranford Public Schools Veterans Day events honor local veterans

Posted on December 15, 2023 by

Dan DiBella Posted in Cranford Monthly, Our Publications

(above) Orange Avenue Students pose with decorations they made to welcome Cranford veterans during the clap-in.

Veterans Day events honor local veterans

Cranford Public Schools

Cranford Public Schools continued its tradition of partnering with the Cranford VFW Post 335 to commemorate Veterans Day and honor the members of our town who served in the armed forces. Events took place in all buildings across the district on Wednesday, November 8th with schools welcoming veterans John Aslanian, Kevin Braine, Jerry Chen, Jim D’Arcy, Brian Evans, Neil Friedman, Michael Gregory, Michael Maguire, Alan Murphy, Guin Pherson, Mark Pollock, and VFW Post 335 Commander Mark Schwartz.

(above, l-r) Army veteran Kevin Braine with children Rowan, Lila and Connor, Army veteran Michael McGuire with grandsons Lucas and Michael, and Air Force Veteran James D’Arcy with grandchildren Matthew and Emily at Brookside Place School.

Bloomingdale Avenue School, Brookside Place School, Hillside Avenue School, Lincoln School, Livingston Avenue School, Orange Avenue School, and Walnut Avenue School were adorned with student-created patriotic decorations that included messages of appreciation. VFW members then toured each school where students lined the halls for a “clap in” to thank and celebrate their guests of honor.

Cranford High School also hosted their “Ten Questions with Our Cranford Veterans” assembly for students enrolled in United States History II again this year. Students developed and posed questions for John Aslanian, Jim D’Arcy, Mike Gregory, and Mark Pollock who graciously shared their experiences in the US military, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of events studied in their classes and a greater appreciation of the sacrifices members of the US military make.

Cranford Public Schools and the Cranford VFW Post 335 look forward to continuing and expanding their partnership to honor our community’s service members in 2024.

Photos by Cranford Public Schools

(above) Brookside Place School fifth grade student, Theodore Espinoza, hands a homemade flag pillow he made to Air Force Veteran James D’Arcy during the Veterans Day clap-in.

(above) VFW Post 335 Commander, Mark Schwartz with daughter, Margaret Schwartz, at Walnut Avenue School.

(above) Veterans Jerry Chen, Billy Folinusz, Mark Pollock, Mark Schwartz, and Niel Friedman at Walnut Avenue School before the “clap in”.

(above) Jim D’Arcy presenting at the “Ten Questions with Our Cranford Veterans” assembly at Cranford High School.

(above) John Aslanian sharing his experiences with US History II students at the “Ten Questions with Our Cranford Veterans” assembly at Cranford High School.