West Utica Elementary celebrates 25 years of honoring area veterans

As it has for 25 years, West Utica Elementary came together to honor the community's heroes for their service to America.

Principal Bradley Suggs told a packed gymnasium of students, staff and veterans that the best way to repay the heroes was to work hard and take advantage of the freedoms available to them as Americans.

"Everything they have done allowed us to be here today," Principal Bradley Suggs said at the annual Veterans Day celebration. "They don't ask for anything except for the respect that you give them today and the respect that you give yourself by being the best you can be."

The students honored the veterans from every conflict since World War II with songs, words and a special gift during the hour-long celebration.

"We want you to know how much we care," said Student Council president Ryan McAllister.

Speaking as a veteran, retired West Utica teacher Tom Gwisdalla told students that those serving in the military left their families and homes to make sure current and future generations can live in freedom.

"They have one great common interest - love of their country," he said.

In addition to honoring the veterans, the veterans and West Utica students and staff honored teacher Mary Kerner for creating the program 25 years ago and annually planning the celebration.

"You'll never know how many lives you have affected by what you have done with this program," Suggs told her during a special recognition.

Kerner originally brought the idea to the West Utica based on a similar program held in her Upper Peninsula hometown.

"(West Utica) has always come together," she said.