Submitted by: Drew McFadden, PAO, Westchester County Detachment.

On November 10, our birthday, the Marines landed at Hastings High School in Westchester County. The reception was friendly and the “Mission was Accomplished”.

Earlier, it didn’t look so positive. The Superintendent (Dr. J. Russell) of the school District had decided to keep the schools open on Veterans Day. Through the efforts of some members, and support of the MCL, Department of New York, convinced the Superintendent to reconsider. In fact members were invited to attend the High School on the day prior to the holiday to participate in their day to Honor all Veterans. We called the operation “FORGET NO VET”

We were greeted warmly by Dr. Russell, High School Principal, Thomas Fazio, and several teachers. They showed us the lobby which was hung with scores of yellow paper ribbons, created by the students, with the name of a relative who was a Veteran. The ribbon also indicated the branch of service, war, and relationship. We noted that one ribbon was for a Colonel in the Army of the Potomac killed in the Civil War. And another was for a WWII Vet who earned the Medal of Honor.

We visited two classes and spent the entire period with each of them. We gave them both barrels: the National Anthem, the story of the creation of Veterans Day, and its history; a Proclamation from President Bush, the story of Taps, followed by the playing of Taps. Each of us gave a short recap about our time in the Corps. And of course we introduced them to the Marine Corps Birthday. They then “marched” out at the end of the period to the Marine Corps Hymn.

I doubt these Students had ever experienced such a concentrated lesson in patriotism, and Americanism in their lives.

The Marines who took part in ‘Operation FORGET NO VET”