I'm Only the Trombone Player

Veterans Day 2020

The school at which I teach has for the last ten years done a traveling Veterans Day Ceremony. It is held on the last school open day before Veterans Day since we are closed on the day of. It looked for a while that this wasn't going to happen in 2020, in fact, I really had serious doubts about the event.

A bit of background;

The Salute was first conceived in the confines of the teacher's cafeteria after a conversation between a member of the English Department a Navy Vet, and myself. As a special project in one of his classes, he had assigned students the task of doing interviews with Veterans. Those interviews were then published in a book form and shared with the community. I mentioned to him that we should feature the best of them, by having the student authors read them at some form of ceremony/salute. Like I said we have been doing that for ten years now.

This year of course there are obstacles;

The first and most daunting, The fact that Robert, my English teaching partner in crime succumbed to the demons that haunted him and committed suicide. His loss was devastating, not only to me but to the entire school.

         That obstacle was overcome when the ENTIRE English Department decided to honor his memory by taking up his mantle and making the assignment a full school project. A committee has chosen one from each of four grade levels to be included in the program.

Then, there's this whole Covid-19 disaster.

         How could we do this and still meet social distancing protocols?

         Up stepped a member of the Support Staff, The Chief Custodian (Army Vet) of the High School — "Why don't we just do it OUTSIDE?"

Brillant!

Then transportation became a problem, the number of students involved would have required three buses to maintain the social distance on each bus. Worried about being strapped for cash the Superindentent of Schools could not justify that.

         Cue the politician, this summer I made some new "friends", among them the local State Senator. His office went to work and we now have three Coach Buses for the day, everybody gets a row to themselves. The cost you might ask? The Senator is joining us, will make a short address, and serve as MC, though I'm not sure what price I'll be paying personally later on.

         So our schools Salute to America's Veterans will take place (weather permitting) on Tuesday, November 10th. More importantly, it will continue to take place, or so everyone at school assures me.

The Program for the Salute to America's Veterans

"Fanfare For The Common Man" by Arron Copland



A Wiki about the Fanfare's history here.  

The entry of the Massed Color Guard.

The High School Marching Band Drum Corps
The High School Color Guard
The American Legion/Veterans Of Foreign Wars Color Guard
The Marine Corps League Color Guard
The Color Guard of the Knights of Columbus

Call to Order and Pledge Of Allegiance
Building Principal

The Star Spangled Banner
High School Brass Ensemble/Marching Band Drum Corps



The Introduction and Presentation of Selected Student Essayists
English Department Chair

Address by NY State Senator

A Prayer for America's Veterans (Prayer in Trinket)

Colors Retire, accompanied by Brass Ensemble "Armed Forces Salute"



This program will be presented at seven buildings, five Elementry Schools, the Junior, and Senior High School