Mineola High School is displaying its first Veteran Flag Field of Honor, hoping it will become a longstanding tradition in the Mineola Union Free School District.
More than 140 American flags are waving out front of the high school, each one honoring a man or woman who has served in the United States military.
The Flag Field of Honor is the culmination of several student projects focusing on honoring Long Island veterans. Last year, 11th grade students in Francine Sclafani’s class helped local veteran Bill Urianek collect plastic bottles to be recycled, with the money going toward veteran charities. They also heard from guest speakers, like WWII veteran Bernie Rader.
The now-seniors and Sclafani’s current 11th grade students collaborated for the final project, the Flag Field of Honor.
They sold flags to friends and family and accepted donations, raising a total of $2,000. The students researched organizations to donate the money to and chose America’s Vet Dogs, based in Smithtown. The national non-profit pairs disabled veterans with service dogs.
Students, staff, America’s Vet Dogs, and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran gathered at the high school for a ceremony on Nov. 12. Students unveiled the Flag Field of Honor and presented the non-profit with a check.
“I am very grateful for Vet Dogs for the work that they do and I understand that fundraising is very challenging right now. The fact that these kids stepped up makes me very optimistic about the future,” said Curran.
The Flag Field of Honor will be on display at Mineola High School until Thanksgiving.
Photos courtesy of the Mineola Union Free School District
