Honoring Those Who Serve

Ella Berg, Staff Writer|November 13, 2015

Ella Berg
Veterans Bob Satter, Doug Brown and Larry Aasen talk to BMS 8th graders about what it was like to serve in the military. Satter is recounting his 32 missions over enemy territory in WWII.

Thirty-four veterans attended Veteran’s Day at Bedford Middle School on Nov. 11 to tell eighth graders their stories.

This was the 16th year that veterans have been visiting Bedford to share their experiences with the Bedford community. Eighth grade social studies teachers Caroline Davis, David Deitch, and Courtney Ruggiero put this event together, with help from PTA volunteers. Greg Winters organized taps to be played in all the pods, and Michelle Anderson led four eighth grade cellists in playing “The Star Spangled Banner” for the veterans. This was a special experience for students and veterans.

As Mr. Deitch stated about the event:“Our eighth graders celebrated a great community tradition of honoring veterans. This day brings together students and veterans with unique information about an important day.”

The Veterans talked about how the armed forces are an inseparable part of American history and about how ordinary young men and women’s service during war and peace was necessary to the preservation of the American way of life.  Said Jay Dirnberger, a Vietnam veteran, “Sometimes that service was quite hard. Regardless, most of us felt that it was our duty and a privilege to serve. Americans should know what that service involves.”
“Your children met veterans from WW ll, the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Our WW ll veterans served 75 years ago.  It is hard to think that when these old men served when they were not much older than the children we met today. It is important for them to have seen up close those who answered the call of duty and stood in harms way serving their country,” said Dirnberger