United States veterans and active service members, American Legion commanders and Locust Valley Central School District students and staff came together for a ceremony to honor the country’s semi quincentennial anniversary. Each veteran had the opportunity to address Locust Valley High School seniors, offering advice and inspiration.
Each year, Locust Valley High School holds a ceremony to honor veterans and graduating students. During the event, veterans present seniors with American flags as a symbol of the responsibility that comes with service to one’s community. This year, the event also encompassed celebrating 250 years of the United States.
“For two and a half centuries,” said Mike LoGerfo, coordinator of English and social studies, “the ‘American Experiment’ has succeeded not by accident, but because ordinary people decided that “We the People” was a verb, not just a noun.”
Works that play a significant role in United States history, such as the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, were read throughout the ceremony. The high school orchestra and band each performed, and the high school chorus led the national anthem.
Multiple students acted as leaders throughout the ceremony, introducing speakers, including veterans and active service members. One student read the Gettysburg Address while the performed.
Among the ceremony’s speakers was United States Army Lt. Colonel Terrance Thorgramson. He read an excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. Afterward, he thanked event organizers and administrators before addressing students directly.
“Education is the foundation of a democracy,” Thorgramson said. “So, for the graduating class here, this is just the beginning of learning.”
Dr. Khwaja Siddique, a local primary care physician and flight surgeon in the United States Air Force, was the event’s keynote speaker. In his speech, he discussed the work of previous generations creating schools, communities, businesses and opportunities. He said that now, it is the next generation’s turn.
“It can be as simple as helping a neighbor,” Siddique said, “mentoring a young student, volunteering in your community, serving your community.”
