Queensbury Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day during two ceremonies on Friday, Nov. 7. Students invited veterans to visit the school and share stories with students.
“Today is a day that we really want to honor all of our veterans who served in our armed forces and their family members who stood alongside them in this journey,” said QES Principal Jessica Rossetti, who noted that the students have been learning about the character trait of “gratitude.”
Each invited veteran spoke briefly about their service, and then students had the opportunity to ask them questions about their time in the military. The students sang and clapped to songs from each branch of the military and then performed more songs for the veterans.
“When they celebrate Veterans Day, I want them to think about each of your faces up here as they think about why we are honoring our armed services,” Rossetti said. “It’s because of the work that you all do and have done to protect and serve our country.”
World War II veteran Edwin Hammond attended the second ceremony Friday and received a standing ovation from veterans, staff and students, including his great-granddaughter Mia Rapple, a Queensbury kindergartner, who calls him “Papa Eddie.”
Hammond, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany, will turn 104 on July 4, 2026.