November 2005
Contact: Dorothy Wills-Raftery
(845) 255-1400 xt. 1209

Ulster BOCES Students Honor U.S. War Veterans

Students at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center recently recognized local U.S. war veterans at an elegant luncheon at the Center’s restaurant facility, The Seasons. It was a celebration to honor them and veterans across the country for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It was also an educational event for the entire group.

“They love it – the students and the veterans,” says Fran Humphrey, coordinator of the event and an instructor at BOCES for 15 years. “The veterans are very interested in what the students are doing and the students admire and respect the veterans. The students want to do this. They understand that it’s important to remember the men and women, past and present, who fought and who currently serve to preserve our freedom.” Humphrey, a U.S. Navy veteran of 20 years, was selected by the Kingston Veterans’ Association as “Veteran of the Year” for 2005.

Before the luncheon, Honor Society students welcomed the veterans at the door and provided tours of the facility where they had the opportunity to talk with students in the various programs including Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Early Childhood Education, Carpentry and Building, Electrical Construction, and Criminal Justice.

During the luncheon, which was prepared and served by students in the Hospitality, Culinary Arts, and Pastry Arts program, Saugerties high school senior Kevin Bialeck, who is studying Early Childhood Education at Ulster BOCES, told the veterans about his mother who spent five years in the Marine Corps. “She always said it was the greatest thing she ever did,” he said. It was his mother, he added, who inspired him to pursue his dream of being a teacher. Recently Bialeck was honored with the Vanguard Student Recognition Award, given annually by the Center for Innovation in Career Development at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. Also on hand to welcome the veterans were Howard Korn, director of the Career & Technical Center; Gary Suraci, principal; and Victor Owen, assistant principal.

After lunch, the honored guests enjoyed a special visit from several pre-school children from the Child Care Center who presented each veteran with a brightly wrapped package of homemade cookies with a gift tag that read, “Thank you for making our world a safer place!”