Sharon students celebrate servicemen

SHARON — A traditional Veterans Day assembly of the students at Sharon Center School (SCS) was held Wednesday, Nov. 8, when seven local veterans were honored with choral music and speeches by the Student Council. 

Each visiting veteran took the podium next to tell the students about individual experiences with military service in the various branches.

Veteran Bob Loucks, who graduated from SCS in 1957, spoke of his experience serving in the U.S. Navy, shipboard on the USS Cascade, a repair ship providing repairs to larger battleships and destroyers.

“I’m very, very proud of my service, Loucks said, describing his years of service as “some of the most exhilarating times of my life.”

Don Mayland, U.S. Navy veteran, spoke of his service in South Korea. Vietnam veteran John Perotti said, “It was a privilege to serve in the U.S. Army.”

Veteran Michael Tesoro, who served in the Air Force as a physician, said that he cared for personnel in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

“Be proud of your country, always,” Tesoro told his young audience.

Veteran Brian Kenny noted that he had graduated from SCS and HVRHS going on to describe his service in the U.S. Army.

Marine Sgt. Tate Begley told the students of his service in Special Operations as part of a SWAT team on the West Coast.

“Remember your country and remember what your country means to you,” Begley told his audience.

Rounding out the list of local veterans being honored was Ray Aakjar, who served in the U.S. Army.