Laurel Plains Students Honor Memorial Day with Program

by Teresa Cafaro

On Friday, May 23rd the 4th grade students at Laurel Plains presented a very moving Memorial Day tribute through song and poetry.  They asked the rest of the school, grades Kindergarten through grade 5, as well as the many distinguished guests who joined them, to open their hearts and minds to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the protection and preservation of our precious freedom which we enjoy today.  Mr. Ed Day, Rockland’s County Executive was the key note speaker with many council members, Judge Gerber, Chief of Police Michael Sullivan and Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, a Laurel Plains graduate, among others, also in attendance.

The students, who each wore a poppy, told of the history of Memorial Day and the significance of the poppy.  The students then recited the poem, “In Flander’s Field.”  Taps were played as a special honor to those service men and women whose bravery took the full enemy fury in the sea, the land, and in the air.  Names of Laurel Plains’ community members who were lost during war time were also mentioned during Friday morning’s touching program. 

During the month of May students in the school recycled their water bottles and the Student Advisory Council members then collected them for cash.  This, combined with donations from the LP staff, added up to a combined contribution of over $400.00 to various Veterans Associations around Rockland County. 

Led by their teachers Mrs. Cafaro, Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Rosenblatt and their musical director Mrs. Royal, this Memorial Day at Laurel Plains Elementary School, the 4th graders showed that they honored, they respected and that they would never forget the men and women who gave them the freedoms they enjoy today.  Well done Laurel Plains!