November 2004
Contact: Dorothy Wills-Raftery
(845) 255-1400 xt. 1209

Ulster BOCES Celebrates With Area Vets
Veterans and students had the unique opportunity to meet each other and share stories and experiences during a luncheon hosted by the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center. The veterans were served a dinner prepared and served by the Culinary Arts students. Then, several high school students addressed the guests and thanked them for their efforts, shared thoughts about their own family members who served our Country, and one student even read an excerpt on respecting our American flag.

One Culinary Arts student, a senior from Saugerties High School, enjoyed the opportunity to serve those who served our Country. “I liked doing this. It was a great experience. It’s so nice to be able to do something for our veterans. It gives extra meaning to what we’re doing here.”

A fellow Saugerties High School junior, who is studying Early Childhood Education at Ulster BOCES, spoke about his mother who joined the Marines when she was 20 years old after being inspired by the movie Private Benjamin. “My mom gives me hope and strength everyday. She inspires me to pursue my dreams and to help other people. I want to say, ‘Thank you for everything and I love you always, and not only as a Marine, but also as a mom.” He went on to share his appreciation for all veterans. “I also want to thank you all for coming here today, and for all of your courage, hard work, and for serving our Country.”

A senior from Highland High School who is in the Ulster BOCES Criminal Justice program, spoke about his own military enlistment. “My decision for going into the Marine Corps was made back when I was young and playing with GI Joes. One of the reasons I decided to join the military and serve my Country is because of you guys…I look up to you as I do my own parents. Thank you for all of your dedication to our Country, our family, and our friends.”

After dinner, the honored guests were visited by several of the Child Care Center’s pre-school children who presented each veteran with a red and blue wrapped package of homemade cookies, complete with a flag that stated, “Our Country is sweeter because of you.” The veterans were then escorted by several high school students on a tour of the Career & Technical Center where they had the opportunity to visit the various trade classes. Several veterans paused along the way to read various posters created by the students and displayed on the school’s Wall of Honor, which included memorials to fallen soldiers and stories and pictures of our flag, our Country, and veterans of all wars.

One of the guests of honor who was very touched by the event was World War II Army Air Force veteran and former Prisoner of War George Countryman, the father of Jim Countryman, electrical construction instructor at Ulster BOCES “This is a terrific event,” he said. “It makes me feel very good.”

Fellow veteran Hugh Reynolds, a Vietnam-era Navy (Seabees) veteran and past commander of American Legion Kingston Post 150 was pleased with the event. “It’s nice to be able to talk to the kids and learn about them and their career choices. This type of event really makes what we did worthwhile.”