In recognition of Veterans Day (November 11th), Grade 4 students in Erika McLean’s and Elizabeth Lefferts’ classes at Woodstock Elementary School were honored to welcome nine United States veterans from the local area on November 10th. Those included Tracie Ingham, Richard Hochman, Mark Cozzupoli, William Ghee, Adam Dean, Walter Bollenbach, Norm Friedman, Dave Nichols, and David Stoutenburgh. 

Students were fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions such as, “Why did you join the service?”,

“Which branch were you in?”, “Where did you serve?”, and “What was the most challenging part?” The veterans’ stories captivated the audience—many were humorous, some deeply moving, and all inspiring.

One female veteran spoke about the challenges and rewards of serving as a woman in the military. Another veteran shared the pride he felt upon earning his badge for learning to safely parachute from a plane. Several spoke about the difficulty of basic training, and how it taught them to challenge themselves and persevere. One veteran recalled how the events of September 11th and his participation in the rescue operation  motivated him to commit wholeheartedly to serving his country and to help keep others safe.

Many veterans talked about the hardships of being away from family and the importance of supporting one another. They also emphasized that the military offers a wide variety of careers beyond combat roles—such as engineering, logistics, and construction—and explained how their service helped them find direction in life and pay for college.

The veterans described how military life has changed over the years—one noted how communication has evolved from waiting in line for a brief weekly phone call home to being able to video chat with family daily.

Students were especially excited to see a few of the veterans’ uniforms and learn what each insignia meant. A particularly touching story came from a veteran who received a Purple Heart honor. He had recently recovered his long-lost dog tags—that were missing for 54 years—after a man in New Zealand found and returned them. The veterans also quizzed the students on topics like the meaning of a Purple Heart and the branches of the military, and the children eagerly shared their knowledge. Many students were excited to tell them about their own family members who serve or have served.

To show their gratitude, students presented handmade “thank you” cards, which will be displayed at the American Legion Post in Woodstock, and spent time chatting with their guests afterward. The visit left a strong impression on everyone in the room!