Columbus Veterans Day Assembly

On November 3, our students and staff at Columbus Elementary came together for a special Veterans Day assembly, honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. The program included a moment of silence, a keynote address by Jody Spinks from the U.S. Navy, a choir performance with an audience sing-along, presentations and a reception to show our gratitude.

Thank you to all veterans for your service. We are proud to celebrate you today and always!
 

HONORING OUR VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE
Jody Spinks -Husband of Mrs. Spinks - U.S. Navy
Sgt. James Fitzgerald -Utica Police Department - U.S. Navy
Honorable Stephen Gerling - Father of Ms. Gerling - U.S. Army
Sam Russo - Father of Casey Russo - U.S. Army
FF Joseph Parrotta -Son of Mrs. Parrotta -U.S. Army National Guard
Cody Fowler - Step-Father of Frank Sanchez - U.S. Army Reserve
Chris Boykin - Grandfather of Skylynn, Chase Liggins, Silas Bauldger - U.S. Army
FF Rick Irrizary -Utica Fire Department - U.S. Army
Cherise Nelson - Mother of Samuel, Lauren, Isabella Hynes, Victoria Nelson - U.S. Army
Shawn Smith - Father of Mateo Rosa & Norah Smith - U.S. Army
Kevin Alexander - Grandfather of Onnalee Alexander - U.S. Army
Nikolina Timmons - Mother of Mirela Tillman & Mila Reynolds - U.S. Army
Lt. Kevin Corrigan - Utica Fire Department - U.S. Marine Corps
Duncan Watson - Father of Phyllis Klampert, Rosie Preeman - U.S. Marine Corps
FF Aaron Drake -Utica Fire Department - U.S. Air Force
Angel Diego Vazquez - Brother of Maria Brito - U.S. Air Force

HONORING THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND TODAY
Duhamel Morales-Mercado - Step-Father of Eimy & Enriques-Vicioso - U.S. Army
Officer Ruben Cecho Collado - Utica Police Department - U.S. Marine Corps
FF Joseph Karwacki - Utica Fire Department - Army Reserves
Jesse J. Patterson - Grandfather of Honesty Love Watkins - U.S. Army
FF Michael Dam - Utica Fire Department - U.S. Marine Corps
FF Gavin Chambers - Utica Fire Department - U.S. Navy
Munyatore Makoma - Father of James Makoma - U.S. Navy
John Castaneda - UCSD Columbus School - U.S. Air Force / U.S. Navy
Michael P. Duignan - Father of Mrs. Collins - U.S. Army
John H. Collins Jr. -Father-in-Law of Mrs. Collins - U.S. Army
Eugene Dieffenbach - Grandfather of Shauna Mills - U.S. Navy
PO Felix Santana - Utica Police Department - U.S. Marine Corps
Connor Pastor - Brother of Mrs. Mills - U.S. Marine Corps
David DeGeorge - Father of Kehlani & Gianna DeGeorge - U.S. Army
Lcpl. Gregory Larish - Husband of Mrs. Larish - U.S. Marines
Kathleen Sciortino - Cousin of Mrs. Williams - U.S. Army
Nicholas R. Parrotta -Father-in-Law of Mrs. Parrotta - U.S. Army
Lance Cpl. Nicholas Parrotta -Nephew of Mrs. Parrotta - U.S. Marine Corps
Tom Marotta - Uncle of Mrs. McEwen -U.S. Army / U.S. Marine Corps
Herbert J. Lamach -Father-in-Law of Mrs. Lamach -U.S. Navy
Richard Bernhardt - Father of Mrs. Elder - U.S. Army

HONORING THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND
Duhamel Morales-Mercado -Step-Father of Eimy & Enriques-Vicioso -U.S. Army
Officer Ruben Cecho Collado -Utica Police Department -U.S. Marine Corps
FF Joseph Karwacki -Utica Fire Department -Army Reserves
Jesse J. Patterson -Grandfather of Honesty Love Watkins -U.S. Army
FF Michael Dam -Utica Fire Department -U.S. Marine Corps
FF Gavin Chambers -Utica Fire Department -U.S. Navy
Munyatore Makoma -Father of James Makoma -U.S. Navy
John Castaneda -UCSD Columbus School -U.S. Air Force / U.S. Navy
Michael P. Duignan -Father of Mrs. Collins -U.S. Army
John H. Collins Jr. -Father-in-Law of Mrs. Collins , U.S. Army
Eugene Dieffenbach -Grandfather of Shauna Mills -U.S. Navy
PO Felix Santana -Utica Police Department -U.S. Marine Corps
Connor Pastor -Brother of Mrs. Mills -U.S. Marine Corps
David DeGeorge -Father of Kehlani & Gianna DeGeorge -U.S. Army
Lcpl. Gregory Larish -Husband of Mrs. Larish -U.S. Marines
Kathleen Sciortino -Cousin of Mrs. Williams -U.S. Army
Nicholas R. Parrotta -Father-in-Law of Mrs. Parrotta -U.S. Army
Lance Cpl. Nicholas Parrotta -Nephew of Mrs. Parrotta -U.S. Marine Corps
Tom Marotta -Uncle of Mrs. McEwen -U.S. Army / U.S. Marine Corps
Herbert J. Lamach -Father-in-Law of Mrs. Lamach -U.S. Navy
Richard Bernhardt -Father of Mrs. Elder -U.S. Army

UTICA POLICE DEPARTMENT VETERANS - CONTINUING TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
Investigator Maynard Anken -U.S. Army Reserve (2001–2009), Staff Sergeant
Captain James Holt -U.S. Marines
Sgt. Samuel Geddes -USMC (1985–1992), Sergeant
PO Mark Diana -USMC (2015–2019), Corporal
PO Shaun Burris -USMC (2017–2021), Lance Corporal
PO Andrew Citriniti -USMC (2012–2017), Sergeant
PO Michael Clive -U.S. Army (1998–2004), Staff Sergeant
Inv. Joseph Dare -U.S. Army (2000–2008), Specialist
PO Kyle Fee -U.S. Army (2008–2020), Sergeant
PO Clifford Wiley -U.S. Army (2002–2015), Sergeant
PO Patrick West -U.S. Army (2001–2013), Corporal
Sgt. Joshua Austin -U.S. Army (2009–2021), Sergeant
Sgt. Adam Howe -U.S. Air Force