AJ News

By Stephanie Webber Abington Journal Intern

Principal Ed Kairis invites some eighth grade students to introduce to the audience his or her family member who has worked for the military.

Stephanie Webber

Speakers of the Veteran's Day program, Lt. Col. Mary McPeak and Lt. Col Bruce McPeak.

Stephanie Webber

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Students of Abington Heights Middle School attended a Veterans' Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the school’s auditorium. Veteran family members of some eighth grade students were welcomed by the faculty and staff for the special occasion.

Lt. Col. Bruce McPeak and Lt. Col. Mary McPeak, parents of a 6th grade student, spoke at all four of the assemblies. Lt. Col. Bruce McPeak has served for 28 years and is currently serving as the commander for the Defense Distribution Center in Tobyhanna. Lt. Col Mary McPeak recently served as a battalion commander of the 143D Ordance Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland. She is currently in the process of retiring. If she were to not retire now she would have the ability to be promoted to Colonel. She has served in the Army Ordnance Branch like her husband for the past 21 years.

Principal of Middle School Ed Kairis began the program by introducing and giving a round of applause to the veterans  present. The eighth grade band then took the stage and played songs from each branch of the military with the help of band Director Rebecca Santoro Hetzel.

Lt. Col. Mary McPeak spoke about the importance of celebrating a veteran’s work. “We see the best of character in the lives of our veterans,” she said. “Our cause is liberty, justice and peace.” To her, every veteran is a friend, neighbor and colleague to one another.

After viewing a video about how technology is used in the army, Lt. Col. Bruce McPeak introduced the audience to a video from Major William Hogan who is presently stationed in Afghanistan. The video was previously taped and sent for the school’s viewing the day before. Students cheered when Major Hogan pointed to the Abington Heights T-shirt that he was at the time wearing.

Students of all grades were able to experience the informative Veterans' day presentation within their specific age group throughout the day. The eighth grade presentation took place at 12:30 p.m.

For more photos, see the Nov. 18 edition of The Abington Journal.