-
Home
Archived Messages
Bar & Game Room
Baseball
Bits & Pieces
Boys State Info
Calendar of Events
Commanders Message
Contact Us
Documents
Events Archives
Girls State
History
Ladies Auxiliary
Links
Meetings
MEMORIES
Menu
Message Board
Officers
Photo Gallery
SAL's
Scoop Newsletter
Taps
Veterans Corner
Veterans History Project
-
|
JOHNSON SCHOOL VISIT
-
Once again Sr. Vice Commander Ernest G.
Brosh and Chaplain Chester Malik, at the request of Principal Karen Rockhill and
teacher Debbie Miller of the James H. Johnson School, Cherry Hill, NJ, were
invited to participate in a flag ceremony in front of an auditorium filled with
some eighty students. The staff of the Johnson School is very supportive of the
military and particularly its veterans. Mrs. Miller's husband is a retired Air
Force pilot and Mrs.Miller's respect and recognition of the sacrifices of
military personnel and its veterans is very evident at the school. The students
all wore T Shirts supportive of veterans and military. There are posters
throughout the auditorium and school depicting the same.The students had written
hundreds of letters to Air National Guard soldiers deployed in Sather Air Force
Base, Baghdad, Iraq and Master Sgt. Thomas Fahnestock and Master Sgt. Valentino
Lopez came to the school to thank them. They brought an American flag that had
flown for a day over their base and spoke of their heartfelt gratitude for the
caring and love expressed by the students in their letters. Chester and I were
particularly moved by the number of students who shook our hands while they
waited to enter the auditorium. One boy, with his father standing behind him, in
what was obviously a well thought out and rehearsed speech told me it was
because of men like me that his mom and dad are able to enjoy the privileges of
our great nation. The boy asked permission to shake my hand. I shook his hand
and told the boy that I, in turn, was very proud of him and that one day he will
grow up to be a fine man just like his daddy. I saluted him and he snapped to
attention and returned my salute. His father shook my hand and thanked me as
well.
Our Chaplain Chester Malik looked splendid in his military attire. As we sat at
the stage in front of the children, I could see them giving little waves with
their hands signifying that they obviously remembered us from our speaking
engagements at the school on Veteran's Day a few months ago. The flag was
carefully removed from the standard as five children played taps on their
bugles. The flag was then properly folded by two students who presented it to
Principal Rockhill who presented it to Chaplain Malik. Our Chaplain thanked the
assemblage and assured them that the flag would be retired in a dignified manner
by burning. He emphasized to the children that flag burning should only be done
by authorized personnel such as veterans organizations, in a fitting and proper
prayer service where the flag ashes are ceremoniously buried afterwards. He
mentioned that many organizations such as American Legion Post 372 had clearly
identified mail boxes for the deposit of worn flags. We can all be very thankful
for having a dedicated man like Chester Malik, whom I consider to be one of the
finest, if not the finest Chaplain in the State of New Jersey. He is always
available for events like this and takes great pride in whatever he does on
behalf of American Legion Post 372.
|
