Number of Participants: 300
Hours Donated: 1
Value of Time Served: $2,535
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Sport: Schools
Date: November 8, 2024
Location:
Hauppauge
NY, USA
About:
Ahead of Veterans Day, Hauppauge Middle School held a series of meaningful events to honor those who have served. The school’s celebrations included a patriotic flag display, grade-level assemblies featuring three local veterans, a video tribute and lessons on the significance of Veterans Day.
The school’s Student Leadership Advisory group kicked off the week’s events by decorating the school’s entrance and walkways with over 100 American flags. The striking visual display served as a visible reminder of the Hauppauge school community’s deep gratitude for veterans and their families.
On Nov. 8, students gathered for assemblies where they heard from three distinguished veterans who have personal ties to Hauppauge. Commander Grace Mehl and Lieutenant Frank D’Aversa, both retired U.S. Navy officers, are Hauppauge residents. Grace graduated from Hauppauge High School as did Frank’s son. Grace Mehl, one of the first five women to command a U.S. Navy combatant ship, was awarded the Bronze Star in 1999 for her humanitarian efforts during the crisis in former Yugoslavia.
Frank D’Aversa volunteered for the Navy after graduation from Aviation High School on Long Island with the goal of being an aircraft mechanic. He completed cruises in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean before deploying to Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, he completed cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean before leaving the service in 1966. He continued in the field of aircraft maintenance, working for several airlines, before joining the Navy Reserve in 1973. He served an additional 30 years, eventually retiring as an Aviation Maintenance Limited Duty Officer in 2003.
The third guest speaker, Kevin Lynch, a U.S. Army Ranger, is the cousin of Ms. Campbell, a social studies teacher at Hauppauge Middle School. Captain Lynch served four tours in combat, including three in Iraq and one in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s elite 75th Ranger Regiment.
During the assemblies, each speaker shared their personal military experiences and discussed the significance of Veterans Day. Afterward, students had the opportunity to ask questions about their time serving the nation.
In addition to the assemblies, Hauppauge Middle Schoolers were shown a tribute video, containing photos of veterans connected to the Hauppauge community. Throughout the week, students in grades six through eight learned about the origin of Veterans Day in their social studies classes in preparation for the guest speakers. Students will now write essays on the theme, “What does ‘America the Beautiful’ mean to me, regarding veterans and our military?” Their essays will include reflections on what they learned from the guest speakers.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our veterans for sharing their experiences and insights with our middle school students,” Director of Social Studies and World Languages Kelly Barry said. “They left a profound impact on us all this morning. Their visit helped to instill a greater appreciation for the significance of Veterans Day and the sacrifices made by those who serve our country. We thank them for their unwavering dedication and for inspiring our students and staff with their courage, resilience and patriotism.”
