On Friday, June 13, students from Robert G. Doering Middle School in Agawam, Mass., congregated at Eastern States Exposition’s (ESE) historic Coliseum for Bring a Vet to School Day. This ceremony is an annual tradition that honors the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for freedom for families on the United States home front. The event was coordinated by Kathleen Goyette-Jediny, a teacher at Robert G. Doering, and emceed by Troy Henke of Southwick, Mass., the newly appointed state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mass. (VFW).
“I have coordinated this event for more than 15 years and found the unique opportunity to have both fifth and sixth grade students in attendance while offering meaningful and honorable ceremonies to our veterans,” said Goyette-Jediny. “As a community, we must show our gratitude and thanks to the veterans that sacrifice time with their families and from their own lives to protect our great country.”
Students arrived bedecked in red, white and blue apparel. Many shuffled their way into the heart of the Coliseum to hold up American flags and create a welcoming walkway for the veterans in attendance. All other students and educators offered a standing ovation to their special guests from the bleachers above. Following a recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance and a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Linda Turner, another educator from the school’s staff, Henke introduced Mayor Christopher Johnson of Agawam, Mass.
“As we all know, freedom is not free,” said Johnson. “I grew up in a household where my father was a World War II Navy vet who served in the Pacific. My closest friend’s dad was a U.S. Army World War II vet who served in Europe. I grew up hearing their funny stories as I was younger, and, when I got older, I heard the more serious stories.” He turned his attention from the students in the bleachers to the veterans seated before him. “What this left with me and my friend was a deep-seeded gratitude for their service and that of all veterans and an appreciation for public service in general. Please share your stories with the children.”
Features of the event included a presentation of a fallen comrade table in honor of fallen, missing and imprisoned military service members, as well as a riderless horse, guided by Guy Jediny, to remember those lost in combat.
Other special guests and speakers included Paul Barabani, the superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers Home; Aldo Mancini of the Westfield River Valley Marine Corp League; Staff Sergeant Jonathan Peloquin of the Mass. National Guard; Christopher Cekovsky, retired commandant of the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141 Marine Corps League; and Fire Chief Alan Sirois.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Emily Bruneau, a student from Robert G. Doering School, recited her award-winning essay which highlights the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
It brings ESE immense pride to support those that serve our country. On the first day of The Big E, September 12, active-duty military personnel, their dependents, retired military and veterans (no dependents) are granted free admission to the Fair for Military Appreciation Day. Throughout the day, the VA offers resources for easy access to counseling, benefits information, medical treatment and more. In 2024, The Big E also debuted The Bunker, a military-themed beer garden that offers a space for rest and serves goods from Easy Company Brewing and HANX For Our Troops.