Charter Oak International Academy Students Honor Veterans
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From left: Kimberly Bednarz, Ethan Rodriguez, and Miya Scranton place a wreath honoring veterans at the foot of the Charter Oak International Academy flagpole. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
This year’s Veterans Day program at the West Hartford elementary school honored all veterans and was a special tribute to the late Jean Paul Berard.
By Ronni Newton
West Hartford Town Council Minority Leader Denise Berard-Hall (left) and her sister, Suzanne Rodriguez, stand in front of a photo of their parents Marion and Jean Paul Berard. The Charter Oak Veterans Day program honored Jean Paul Berard who passed away in January 2014. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Charter Oak International Academy community and invited guests, including many veterans, gathered in front of the school for the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate the contributions of all who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.
This year’s ceremony was also a special tribute to longtime West Hartford resident and veteran Jean Paul Berard. Two of Berard’s children, West Hartford Town Council Minority Leader Denise Berard Hall and Suzanne Rodriguez, attended Tuesday’s program. Their mother, Marion Berard, is recovering from surgery and could not attend.
Even the youngest of the elementary students respected the seriousness of the day, as the somber sounds of Patrick Whelan’s bagpipe set the tone for the ceremony that included reading of a “Dear Veterans” poem by Nyssa Park. “We see you, we recognize your humanity, we send you love that is gentle, patient, and healing,” read Park.
Charter Oak International Academy student Andrew Paridy read a special tribute to Jean Paul Berard, who passed away in January 2014, recognizing his work as a teacher who “touched the lives of so many in West Hartford.” Paridy said that Berard was a great friend to Charter Oak, and helped organize the Veterans Day ceremony, attending every year until he became too ill.
Student readers recited personal tributes to Berard, each one ending with the words: “Thank you veterans, thank you soldiers, thank you Mr. Berard.” One-by-one, the students each handed a single red rose to Berard’s daughters.
A wreath honoring veterans is placed at the foot of the Charter Oak International Academy flagpole. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Dawn Hyland’s first grade class sang “See the Veteran,” and as the mournful melody of “Taps” was sounded on a bugle, students Kimberly Bednarz, Ethan Rodriguez, and Miya Scranton laid a wreath at the base of the flagpole.
The fifth grade choir led the crowd in the singing of “America,” and after the ceremony ended, veterans, their families, and other guests enjoyed a special breakfast at the school.
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