RCDS Honors Brave Men and Women of Service

To honor the people who have served our country and the sacrifice they have made, The Rumson Country Day School hosted a Veterans Day remembrance ceremony on Wednesday, November 13, 2014 that honored military heroes who are connected to the RCDS community. The school-wide assembly began with a moving entrance ceremony by the U. S. Army Color Guard heralding the entrance of 16 veterans into the Blake Gymnasium. Members of the Bravo Guard, 114th Infantry included: Specialist Christopher Gunn; Specialist John Labozzetta; Sergeant Jeremy Marrerro; and Sergeant First Class Eric Riester.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and welcoming remarks from Head of School Chad Small and Student Council President Paul Thomas ’14, the RCDS band played the National Anthem. The audience of students, faculty and administrators enjoyed a presentation from the assembly’s keynote speaker Mrs. Anita Thorne Rochelle-Keyser, sister of Corporal Horace Marvin “Bud” Thorne, a member of Troop D, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Armored Division, who received the first New Jersey Congressional Medal of Honor from World War II. Because of his ultimate sacrifice and heroism, Thorne Middle School in Middletown is named in his honor. Corporal Thorne, 26 years old, was killed in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge on December 21, 1944 near Grufflingen, Belgium as he displayed heroic initiative and intrepid fighting qualities against the enemy and insured the success of his patrol’s mission by the sacrifice of his life.

During her speech, Mrs. Keyser recounted wartime during 1941-42 with food and gas rations, having to darken the lights at night so possible war planes would not have targets, and the heartbreaking telegram that informed her family that her brother was killed in action. “We can’t change the past but can learn from it and work to make a better world today. We are just so grateful for the freedom we have today and for the service of our brave men and women. I want to leave you with this though – everyone leaves footprints in the sands of time – Veterans left theirs in many different places and lands around the world. Where will you leave yours and will they be footprints to follow?”

Military photos, uniforms, artifacts and medals dating as far back as World War I until Iraq and Afghanistan were also displayed in Riker Hall during the week in remembrance of those brave men and women who have volunteered and sacrificed in order for liberty and justice for all to prevail and to protect fundamental freedoms. 

All the veterans present at the ceremony represented the following U.S. military branches: Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marines: George Weiss, Michael Wrachi, Greg Greene, Mark Molyneaux, Alexander Iler ’46, Michael Mannino, Jamie McPherson, Ed Rumolo, Martin Wachtel, Bruce Shapiro, Jack Gavin, Chuck Gariaula, Rick Harner, Mike Schwartz, David Crowell and Andrew Milone.

After the ceremony, the students lined up to thank each veteran personally as they filed out of the Blake gymnasium. “Each one of these special people served our country, and for that we are forever grateful. They have given of themselves and in some cases have given their lives in sacrifice for American freedom,” said Head of School Chad Small. Special thanks to Ed Rumolo, Director or Safety and Security, for his time and attention in putting together such a successful tribute.