Last month, in honor of Memorial Day, Seneca Middle School students, staff and community members honored past and present veterans for their service and sacrifice to our country at the inaugural Field of Honor Ceremony.

In a patriotic display of their collective support, flags purchased by students in honor of military veterans, friends and relatives who served in the armed forces waved in front of the school. The proceeds that resulted from the day’s events were donated to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars organization and the Team Jesse Foundation, a group that provides support to the families of fallen soldiers. Additionally, over the course of the year a team of family and consumer science students arrived at school early each morning to bake cinnamon bits that were on sale throughout the building. Each year the students select an organization to donate their profits to, and this year the students chose to donate their proceeds to benefit veterans. 

During the ceremony, those in attendance recognized a number of honored guests, including members from the VFW Memorial Post 400 and John DiNaro, a local artist who created a sculpture that was placed alongside the display of flags to act as a monument of freedom for years to come. 

Accompanying the memorial ceremony were performances by student-musicians in the orchestra and band who performed songs throughout the event that included “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”