Students, parents and faculty saluted our veterans in a moving ceremony at Willow Grove School in Hackettstown on Veterans Day.

The school’s second annual Veterans Day Tribute, presented by the K-Kids Club, which is a program of the Hackettstown Kiwanis Club, included some very special guests. Parents and grandparents who served in the military joined their family members as part of the ceremony.

All photos by Deb Beck.

Welcome remarks were made by Robin Gibbon, RN, faculty advisor for the K-Kids. Hackettstown Mayor Maria DiGiovanni spoke about our soldiers’ commitment to our safety, and Vito Abrusci, Program Coordinator for “Operation Jersey Cares,” was the guest speaker. The event also included patriotic videos and songs and a presentation by the members of the K-Kids of “Thank You” cards to the veterans in attendance for their service to our country.

Hackettstown American Legion Post 164 presented the colors. The Girls Choral Group from Hackettstown High School beautifully sang the National Anthem acapella.

Veterans recognized at the event were Ron Broking, Richard Clegg, Loius Murphy, Eugene Seiter, Michael Tyler, Nelson Echandy, John Stagg, John Sereno, Julio Benevente, Robert Moore, Sandy Galacio, Jose Gonzalez, William Lightcap, Robert Kosciuk, and Bill Beck.

Members of the K-Kids include officers Michela Leiser, President, Savannah Davis, Vice President, Amber Deegan, Secretary, and Kelsey Maxwell, Treasurer. Remaining club members include Mia Cajamarca, Sophia Camoia, Randall Canfield, Nadeem Bakr, Adrian Chan, Abigail Deegan, Mara Whipple, Katelyn Brameyer, Ava Dejesus, Hannah Flynn, Kayla Higgins, Ian Deithorn, Aubrey Gonzalez, Mia Liferiedge, Julia Pekala, Katie Prymak-Paredes, Kristen Stone, Haylee McWilliams, Luke Huryk, Jose Alvarenga Giron, Autumn Hoover, Angelene Mattingly, and Emilio Chavarria-Cano.

Gibbon is helped by Karissa Stout, who recently became Assistant K-Kids Club Advisor.