The Black and White

by August Pittman and Henry Iech

Each year Pilgrim High School honors area service members as part their Veterans Day Commemoration. This year at Patriots Honoring Patriots, the community gathered to honor the incredible men and women who sacrificed so much to keep us safe.

Principal Gibbons opened the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of honoring veterans. He spoke about his connection to the topic, sharing with the community his children’s involvement in the military and how it has deepened his appreciation for the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.

Colonel Edward J. Ouellette followed, offering insights into the history of Veterans Day. He noted that the day was established after World War I, which was once dubbed the “war to end all wars.” Later, he started speaking of the importance of honoring our veterans. His words truly underscored the day’s purpose: “We don’t celebrate victory; we celebrate those who made victory possible,” he said, adding, “The pride of our nation is our veterans.”

Pilgrim English teacher Brian Callahan then took the stage, sharing a heartfelt story about a family he met during his time as a deacon. The family had fostered 43 children, and a member of the family had served on D-Day. Callahan honored this soldier by reading a touching poem that captured the bravery and experiences of those who fought in the war.

Science teacher Mrs. Zielinski also spoke about her life as a military wife. Her husband, Major David Zielinski of the National Guard, had been deployed multiple times, including missions to Antarctica and Afghanistan. She recounted the risks he faced during these deployments, particularly when he had to pass the “point of safe return” on his trips to Antarctica. Despite her worries, she expressed immense pride in his service. To stay connected while he was away, Major Zielinski recorded himself reading stories for their children, ensuring that family bonds remained strong.

Pilgrim also recognized many honored guests who have served in different ways, from teaching to military police. Each veteran received a plaque crafted by the school’s wood shop students, honoring their contributions. Among the honorees were former Pilgrim students, including Private First Class Zach Oliver, who was accompanied by his mother, Pilgrim Clerk Ann Oliver, and Sergeant Tyler Parks, whose family accepted the plaque on his behalf, as he is currently stationed in Cuba.

This event was made possible by those supporting it, including Ms. Bernardi for organizing the event, the chorale and band for providing music throughout, and the leadership of the senior class for making announcements. All in all, this ceremony honored veterans while also connecting our school to the community, something worth celebrating.