Sachem Supports The Troops

For several hundred students in two Middle schools on Long Island, Friday November 8^th was more than just the day before a 3-day weekend. Thanks to a school-wide effort of teachers and staff at Seneca and Sequoya Middle Schools in the Sachem CSD, students proudly wore t-shirts purchased to raise money for veterans’ causes emblazoned with “Sachem Supports The Troops”. The Team Jesse Foundation was honored to be one of the benefiting organizations for both schools. Team Jesse founder Kevin Mincio and treasurer Eileen Mincio Tang are Seneca alumni.  As part of a program planned and spearheaded by Mr. Brian Harvey, an old friend and classmate of Kevin, veterans from the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars participated in a Q&A with 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade Social Studies classes.  The students asked thoughtful questions, then sat attentively as the veterans responded and shared their memories of the past, their war experiences and how their military service has affected how they now live. Along with t-shirts, students purchased poppies, a worldwide symbol of war remembrance. One of the veterans captivated the assembled students and staff by reciting from rote, “In Flander’s Field” by John McCrey.  During the assembly, Eileen spoke of the Team Jesse mission and was presented with a $1,500 check on behalf of the Seneca community. It was an incredible experience and one that definitely left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

For the past ten years Sequoya Middle School, led by the Renaissance Club’s advisor and teacher Ms. Doreen Schaefer, has honored veterans with a walk by each grade level at lunchtime. Following a large American flag, proudly wearing their “Sachem Supports The Troops” t-shirts, students marched around the parking lot in a brisk fall wind. In addition to donating over $600 to Team Jesse, money raised this year was presented to the family of a fallen hero Sgt. Ryan Dickerson whose wife and two young children now reside in the Sachem district.

Thank you Sachem community for your continuous support of Team Jesse, for honoring our veterans in such a distinguished manner and for reminding us all to never forget that freedom is not free, but, continues to be guaranteed to us everyday by the men and women we honor this Veterans Day.