Veterans honored at Van Schaick Grade School

Members of the RPI Color Guard raise the flag.

"Bring a Vet to School Day" began and ended with paying respect to the nation's flag. In between, there were talks by local veterans, a visit from a Black Hawk helicopter and performances by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Color Guard and the ROTC Drill Team.

The event, held on Thursday, Nov. 8, was the school's first "Bring a Vet to School Day" in honor of Veterans Day.

"This was a special way for Van Schaick Grade School and the extended Cohoes community to honor our local veterans," said Jacqueline DeChiaro, the Van Schaick principal.

The day, planned by the school and Cohoes Remembers Vets, a local organization, included a military car on display and military artifacts. In the morning, the crowd of students, parents and administrators recited the Pledge of Allegiance outside on the lawn and sang The Star-Spangled Banner. Students held a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony, as well as a ceremony for the folding of the flag at the end of the day.