Virtual and in-person third and fourth grade students at Aquebogue Elementary School had a unique opportunity to hear from four U.S. veterans during the school’s Veterans Appreciation Webinar on Nov. 4.
The virtual event kicked off with third grader Lila Corwin leading participants in the Pledge of Allegiance. First to speak was the school’s head custodian, Erik Dal, who described his responsibilities while serving as a sergeant artilleryman. Students also heard from James Lewis and Patricia Lewis, who talked about their experiences as a lawyer and a judge, respectively, for the Army. Mr. Lewis discussed his major responsibility of ensuring that the Army followed through on contracts it awarded for multimillion-dollar projects. Mrs. Lewis explained how she was drawn to the opportunity to serve her country while studying law.
Rounding out the speakers was Vietnam War veteran Barry Gilmore, who answered students’ questions about wartime events and noted that the discipline required in the Army had served him well.