In honor of Veterans Day, Oyster Bay High School hosted its eighth annual Field of Honor Ceremony on Nov. 14. The special event was held on the front lawn of the high school where American Flags were displayed and local veterans were honored. Central and building administrators, students and staff gathered to pay their respects to the brave men and women who have served our country.
The ceremony was coordinated by Oyster Bay High School Assistant Principal John Pardue and Interact Club adviser Anthony Caputo. Principal Melissa Argaman opened the ceremony. She spoke about the importance of honoring our veterans and acknowledged all the Oyster Bay High School alumni who have dedicated themselves to serving our country.
Ms. Argaman welcomed Mr. Pardue to the podium. As the son of an Army veteran, he spoke about the sacrifices that servicemembers and their family’s make and acknowledged all the local heroes who “have touched countless lives in so many ways and have made our country safer as a result.”
Oyster Bay High School’s band members, under the direction of Matthew Sisia, performed the National Anthem during the ceremony, which was followed by remarks from Sierra Nesis, president of the school’s Interact Club. She spoke about the significance of the flags on the field.
“Oyster Bay takes pride in our Field of Honor as it represents the tight-knit, appreciative and loving community that we are all so lucky to be a part of,” she said. “Each flag serves to express the gratitude that we hold for those who have fought tirelessly for our freedom and safety. Additionally, each flag represents a donation to the local American Legion and AMVETS organization.”
Accompanying the flags on the field was a Field of Honor board with messages of thanks and appreciation from the donors. Mr. Caputo thanked all those who donated and shared that the donations are matched by the Oyster Bay High School Interact Club who fundraise during Oyster Fest.
Members of the local American Legion and AMVETS who were present during the ceremony were recognized by the entire student body for their dedication to our country. In addition, veteran and Town of Oyster Bay resident Ben Rodriguez spoke about what it means to proudly serve our country.
Toward the end of the ceremony, everyone participated in a moment of silence and Ms. Argaman placed a red, white and blue veterans wreath by the flags and 9/11 Memorial. This would serve as a reminder to the public to remember all the veterans and heroes.
Assistant Principal Robert LoCastro concluded the event by thanking all those who made the ceremony possible and by thanking the veterans in attendance.
“You have all sacrificed so much to defend our way of life, truly embodying what it means to be a hero,” he said to the veterans.
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Date Added: 11/20/2023