Annual event recognized and honored local veterans at school-wide reception and assembly
BY JIM BEERS
The 2026 Chester Grade School Assembly to recognize and honor local veterans was held Monday November 9. For several years this event has taken place at an all-school assembly the week of Veteran’s Day. This year’s event was definitely one of the best and most well attended.
The entire Chester Grade School student body stood and waved American Flags to welcome and greet the local Veteran’s contingent Monday November 9th as they entered the CGS Gymnasium for the Annual Veterans Day Assembly. Jim Beers Photo
This year’s coordinators were Katie Kelley, a junior high teacher, and Kristin Wolter, School Social Worker. They were greatly assisted by new music teachers, Jenny Gerhke, Band Director, and Katie Hannan, General Music Teacher and Choral Director. The foursome was coordinating their very first Veteran’s Day event and did an amazing job of producing a “top-notch” event.
All teachers and staff spent the last few weeks discussing what Veteran’s Day was all about and preparing for the assembly. Students created various art projects which were displayed in the CGS Gymnasium where the event was held, and many classrooms displayed the creations on their walls and bulletin boards.
Principal Tim Blair, Assistant Principal Kristin Petrowske, and new Assistant Principal Leon Richardson, also contributed to the success of the event with their full support and guidance throughout the entire preparation phases.
Band Director Jenny Gehrke worked hard to prepare both the 6th Grade Band and the Junior High Band for their performances at the event. The 6th Grade Band performed, “Of Honor and Glory”, composed by Carmine Pastore. The Junior High Band performed “Marches of the Armed Forces”, arranged by Michael Sweeney.
It was quite an accomplishment for both bands to be able to prepare these songs in the early weeks of the semester, in addition to adjusting to a new band director and having marched in the 2026 CHS Homecoming Parade.
New CGS General Music Teacher and Choral Director, Katie Hannan, worked hard to prepare vocal selections for both the elementary grades, K-2 and 3rd – 4th, as well as choral selections from the Junior High Chorus and a combined 5th through 8th Grade Chorus.
The Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd Graders sang, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, by George M. Cohan. The 3rd and 4th Graders sang, “This Land is Your Land”, by Woody Guthrie. The Junior High Chorus sang, “Salute to America”, arranged by John Kinyon. A combined chorus of 5th through 8th Graders sang, “America the Beautiful”, by Samuel A. Ward.
The vocal selections were outstanding, as were the instrumental selections. CGS has not had a choral program or full-time general music teacher for at least five years. Miss Hannan did an amazing job of bringing life to the vocal program in just 11 weeks.
Local Veterans were invited to attend this prestigious event via a general, on-line invitation, but more special were the invitations some veterans received from their own CGS students and family members. This year was one of the best-attend events in recent years!
The morning began at 8:15 a.m. Many veterans and their family members arrived at the CGS Cafeteria where students met their invited guests for a FREE continental breakfast including donuts, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee and pastries.
The program began at 9:00 a.m. with the Veterans being led into their seats by a Color Guard consisting of Boy Scouts including Cameron McClure, Suhaily Torres, Sophia Bryant, and Ryker Ridings.
Principal Tim Blair welcomed everyone to the event. Blair said, “Today we gather to honor our nation’s brave veterans. These men and women served our country in moments of turmoil and in moments of peace. Alongside these heroes, we also honor the current members of our military who sacrifice every day so that we might enjoy all that it means to be an American.” Everyone then stood and sang the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.
The Kindergarteners through 2nd Graders followed by singing, “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan. The 3rd and 4th Graders then sang, “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie.
Bill Lang was the guest speaker at the 2026 Chester Grade Schol Veteran’s Day Assembly. Lang served in Vietnam and spoke about his thoughts and feelings regarding his experiences as a 21-year-old young man serviceman. Jim Beers Photo
Assistant Principal, Leon Richardson introduced the 2026 Veteran’s Day Guest Speaker, William “Bill” Lang. Richardson said, “Each and every day, countless sacrifices are made by the brave men and women in our armed forces who prevent the many freedoms that each of us enjoy from being taken away. Many times those freedoms art taken for granted. We are honored today to welcome our guest speaker, William Joseph Lang, who spent his 21st birthday flying to Vietnam”.
“Today he lives here in Chester with his wife Linda. They have three fantastic daughters and six beautiful grandchildren. Mr. Lang spent his retirement as a professional wood carver and wood worker.”
Mr. Lang thanked everyone for attending the assembly and noted that it was a great honor to be the chosen as the 2026 guest speaker for the assembly. He began by describing his experience going to Vietnam on his 21st birthday and how much he did not enjoy returning to America following his tour. He said that he did not even want to tell anyone that he had been to Vietnam.
His daughters then gave him a special commemorative Vietnam cap that changed his outlook towards his serving in Vietnam. He was wearing that same cap at the assembly. This act by his daughters made him proud to have served as an American Servicemen!
Mr. Lang then told a story “that made his day” and has stuck with him since last year! One day many Chester Grade School classes were walking down George Street in Chester, where he lives, on their way to visit the Chester Fire Department. Lang was out in his yard raking leaves as one of the CGS classes was walking by. Mr. Lang waved at the students as they passed and got a very heartwarming and special surprise.
Bil Nang poses for a photo with Warren Taylor following the adjournment of the 2026 CGS Veteran’s Day Assembly. Lang was the guest speaker at the event and Taylor led his entire class to stop and salute Lang last year when his class was walking by Lang’s house and noticed that Lang was a veteran. This kind gesture will last in Lang’s heart forever. Jim Beers Photo
One particular student, Warren Taylor, noticed the Vietnam cap that had been given to him by his daughters. Lang was wearing that cap and caught the attention of Taylor. Taylor then suddenly stopped, stood at attention, and saluted Mr. Lang in recognition of him being a Veteran. The entire class followed Taylor and also gave him the respect that a veteran deserves.
To close his message to the CGS students, Lang had Warren Taylor stand and be recognized! Lang told him how much he appreciated that gesture by both him and his entire class and that he will remember that gesture the rest of his life.
Immediately following Lang’s presentation, the 6th Grade Band performed, “Of Honor and Glory” by Carmine Pastore. The Junior High Chorus then sang, “Salute to America”, arranged by John Kinyon. A combined 5th through 8th Grade Chorus followed by performing, “America the Beautiful”, by Samuel A. Ward”.
Next, CGS 4th Grade Teacher, Sarah Surman made a special recognition of a local veteran and made a presentation to him and his family. Mrs. Surman said, “Today we have the privilege of honoring a real-life hero who protects people here at home as a policeman, but across the world he serves as a soldier. I am happy to introduce you to a true hometown hero…, Mr. Mathew Holdman.”
Holdman dedicated 14 years to the Army National Guard as a Firefighter, protecting communities and soldiers alike. He completed his first deployment to Iraq and Syria in October of 2017. He just returned home from training for his next deployment. He will be headed to Romania for nine months soon.
Mr. Holdman then came forward with his wife Brandi and sons Austin, Mathew and Walker. Mrs. Surman is the teacher of CGS student Mathew Holdman and arranged with him and his family to be recognized and honored.
To close the program, the Junior High Band performed, “Marches of the Armed Forces”, arranged by Michael Sweeney. As the band played the theme songs of each of the respective branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, those veterans in the audience stood to be recognized and honored.
Assistant Principal, Dr. Kristin Petrowske then thanked everyone for attending the 2026 Chester Grade School Veteran’s Day Assembly and released the student to return to their classrooms as directed by their respective teachers.
Junior High speakers, who introduced each of the musical selections included Madeline Fuentes, Jonathan Keeton, Silas Kinkade, Carter Davitz, Maggie Stueve, and Breanna Johnson.
The entire event was carried out without a hitch, and students paid vivid attention to each segment of the program. Teachers, staff, administration, and especially students, helped make the event a meaningful, patriotic experience for Veteran’s Day 2026. Hats off to everyone who helped make this fantastic tribute possible.
Day Assembly Monday November 9th. Holdman is a real-life hero that protects people every day as a policeman, as well as a 14-year veteran of the Aremy National Giard where he is a Firefighter. He completed his first deployment to Iraq and Syria in October of 2017, and he will head to Romania in May of 2027 to do a second deployment. His wife Brandi and sons, Austin, Mathew and Walker were in attendance at the event to be a part of older Mathew’s tribute. Younger Mathew is a student in Mrs. Surman’s class. Jim Beers Photo
