Veteran Barry Parker speaks to Thomas Blake Middle School students during a visit to the Medfield school on Nov. 4. (Photo courtesy Medfield Public Schools)
MEDFIELD — Superintendent Jeffrey J. Marsden and Thomas Blake Middle School Principal Nat Vaughn are pleased to share that the school continued its annual tradition of inviting local veterans to speak with sixth-graders this year.
Twelve local veterans visited Blake Middle School on Monday, Nov. 4, ahead of the Veterans Day holiday.
Air Force veterans Paul Foscaldo, Ron Griffin, and Bill Hajjar; Army veterans David Conner, Gerry Irwin, Barry Parker, and Dean Putnam; Army National Guard veteran Tom Sweeney; Coast Guard veterans Jim Mankus and Cynthia McClelland; and Navy veterans Jim Aldinger and Paul Galofaro visited sixth-grade students to share their stories and answer questions from students.
The veterans spoke with 11 sixth-grade advisory classrooms about their experiences. They shared stories, photos, and answered questions, with some veterans attending in uniform.
This visit has been an annual tradition since 2012, when Blake Middle School unveiled a Vietnam Veterans Plaque at a Veterans Day assembly to honor local veterans who served in Vietnam.
Since then, the school has invited local veterans, some who have personal connections to students and staff, to visit sixth-grade classes before a lunch with staff and student representatives.
“We were honored to welcome back local veterans for this year’s visit,” Principal Vaughn said. “Their stories and experiences teach students about our nation’s history, as well as the bravery and strength of the veterans who helped to shape it. We’re grateful that they chose to take the time to speak with students, and we thank them for their service.”
###
Veteran Dean Putnam speaks to Thomas Blake Middle School students during a visit to the Medfield school on Nov. 4. (Photo courtesy Medfield Public Schools)
Twelve veterans visited Thomas Blake Middle School to speak to sixth-graders ahead of Veterans Day and then attended a lunch with students on Nov. 4. (Photo courtesy Medfield Public Schools)
Veteran Bill Hajjar speaks to Thomas Blake Middle School students during a visit to the Medfield school on Nov. 4. (Photo courtesy Medfield Public Schools)
Veteran Dean Putnam takes a picture with Thomas Blake Middle School students after speaking to the sixth-graders in their advisory classroom on Nov. 4. (Photo courtesy Medfield Public Schools)