A WEEK TO REMEMBER
Submitted by Jim D’Arcy, VFW Post #335
Veterans Day “week” turned out to be quite eventful for the members of Cranford’s VFW Post #335. Starting with a more than successful Veteran’s Breakfast on Sunday, November 6th and ending Wednesday, with a “Clap-Out” at all the town’s elementary schools plus adding an informative question and answer period during a Junior Class assembly at the High School, it was a full week of accolades and acknowledgements.
The annual Veterans Breakfast, a mainstay of the VFW’s calendar for decades, was well received and attended. Noted speakers included State Senator Jon Bramnick, County Commissioner Betty Jane Kowalski and Cranford’s Mayor Kathleen Prunty. The featured speaker, retired Army Sergeant Major Sean Hutchinson was warmly received as he gave an informative talk on his highly decorated miliary experiences, discussing his multiple tours in the Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan war zones.
The” sit down” Veterans Breakfast was expertly cooked by the VFW’s dedicated Auxiliary while the serving was fervently executed by Boy Scouts from Troops 75 and 80 and Girl Scout Service Unit 48. The highlight of the morning however was the speeches given by students from Mrs. Castle’s 8th grade class at St. Michaels School in Cranford. Showing great understanding and insight in their talks, the attendees found the students positively enlightening. “The Veterans Breakfast is our biggest event of the year” explained Post Commander Mark Schwartz, “and this year event was as good as it gets. Great attendance, great speakers and the students were the best.”
A school “Clap-Out” was something none of the Cranford Veterans had ever heard of or participated in before. The actual experience however, was quite memorable for them. In all the six elementary schools, plus Lincoln School, the entire student population lined the halls and clapped continuously, as each veteran walked by. The thrill was remarkable. “The appreciation, the clapping, the high fives that the students gave us was just overwhelming” stated Army veteran Mark Pollock, “I certainly didn’t expect it to be such a moving experience.” Also, each school presented a long red, white and blue paper chain containing students’ sentiments to the veterans.
At Cranford High School, three VFW Post members, Commander Mark Schwartz (Marines), Michael Gregory (Navy) and Jim D’Arcy (Air Force) attended an assembly of the schools Junior Class. Students from the A.P. U.S. History class authored 10 questions to pose to each of the veterans. The Veterans responded to each in turn from their own personal experiences in the military. The Junior Class’s response was extraordinary. Commander Schwartz expressed his gratitude to the students, “The questions were well thought out, and the entire assembly seemed to be really intent on getting our answers and learning from them. The respect and appreciation they showed us was truly wonderful.” On behalf of the VFW, the Commander also expressed his thanks to the members of the Cranford school system who made the day such a special one for the veterans of the town.
Courtesy photos
