Rocky Point Schools Honor Veterans With Districtwide Ceremonies
Local students and staff gathered on Tuesday to recognize military service, featuring a 33-year veteran and a 25-year school tradition.
By Julian Schulz ·
The Rocky Point School District coordinated a series of ceremonies on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to recognize members of the United States military. The events brought together students, staff, and local veterans across four schools to mark Veterans Day. Each venue featured specific tributes, including personal narratives, musical performances, and student-written acknowledgments of military service.
At Rocky Point High School, the assembly included members of the Rocky Point VFW and the Suffolk County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans. Families of local veterans also attended. These guests shared first-hand accounts of their military experiences, allowing students to hear directly from those who served.
Rocky Point Middle School hosted its annual celebration with local leaders and representatives from the Long Island State Veterans Home. The school presented the annual Patriot Award to Colonel Joseph Cognitore II. Cognitore, a 1991 graduate of Rocky Point High School, served 33 years in the U.S. military. Middle school musicians performed patriotic songs while students held flags representing the different branches of the armed forces. Students also read original essays and thank-you letters.
Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School marked the 25th year of its veteran assembly. The Rocky Point VFW presented the colors to begin the program. The fifth-grade Select Chorus, known as High Notes, performed patriotic selections. A fifth-grade technology club showed a tribute video titled Heroes Here to Help. The school included a POW/MIA remembrance table and individually recognized each veteran in attendance.
Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School focused its program on second-grade students. Members of the Rocky Point VFW discussed military history, specifically detailing the use of the trumpet in the armed forces. Students with family members in the military received cards. The second graders concluded the event with a song dedicated to veterans.
The districtwide events concluded with students connecting with local veterans. The ceremonies provided a forum for sharing personal service stories and receiving student acknowledgments. The next scheduled step involves the schools maintaining these annual traditions for future Veterans Day observations.
