Students Serve Up Honor, Songs, and Lunch to Area Veterans

COURT HOUSE – The students and staff of Middle Township Middle School (MTMS) heard what it means to serve in the most honorable way – by serving one’s country – at the school’s Fourth Annual Veterans Day Celebration Nov. 8.
The entire student body – about 575 sixth- through eighth-graders – heard from four honored speakers and veterans: New Jersey Assemblyman Bruce Land, who serves as a United States Army Sergeant in the Vietnam War; Mark Higginbottom, former United State Marine Corp Sergeant Intel Officer; John E. Killeen, former United States Air Force Commander; and, Father Miles Barrett, former United States Navy Commander. Students also heard the “Star Spangled Banner” from the MTMS Band and “America the Beautiful” from the MTMS Choir.
“There’s a lot of ways to have a happy, productive life if you make good choices. Make the right choices and do the work necessary to succeed,” said Killeen, the uncle of MTMS’ Assistant Principal Jeffrey Ortman. “For those who have any kind of interest in working hard, seeing the world, having lots of adventures, and making some good money, serve your country and make sure you’re making a difference in the world.
Area veterans and honorary guests, including several Board of Education members and MTMS teachers who have served in the armed forces, were then treated to a special lunch in the school’s media center, served by National Junior Honor Society students.
“We are here today to honor our veterans that serve our country,” said MTMS Principal Toni Lehman, Ed.D., whose own stepson currently is stationed in Tokyo as a member of the United States Air Force. “We live in this beautiful country and are afforded a great number of rights. As you go home, have conversations and talk about what was shared with you today. Those of you who choose an adventure in serving our armed forces, we look forward to you serving in any way you can.”
Lunch was prepared by the Bethel Commandment Church, and dessert was provided by the National Junior Honor Society. Lehman thanked a dedicated staff of MTMS teachers who formed a committee to organize the event.
“It would be pretty cool to join the military. You learn a lot of stuff, meet new people, and get a new life,” said Travis McCray, an MTMS eighth-grader.