Students At Royle In Darien Celebrate Veterans Day

DARIEN, Conn. – Royle Elementary recognized Veterans Day with a bright parade held outside the main entrance of the school on Tuesday. All the children wore red, white and blue in celebration of veterans, and the school choir performed the national anthem.

Squeo introducing the students to a 'boonie' cap.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Samantha Keller*

Squeo raising the flag while veterans look on.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Samantha Keller*

The Royle School Chorus performing the National Anthem.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Samantha Keller*

From left: John Macri, David Evanchick, Carter Hayes, Hogan Riccio, Jake Vairo and Jonathan Strong.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Samantha Keller*

From left: Hogan Riccio, Jake Vairo and Jonathan Strong, all 5th grade Royle Students.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Samantha Keller*

Cassandra Huerta

11/12/2014 2:00 p.m.

A number of veterans, all with close connections to the school – fathers, grandfathers and Royle's own 5th grade teacher, Joseph Squeo – were kind enough to give their time and attend the event.

Their presence at the school brought the importance of Veterans Day to life for the children, as all the veteran's achievements and service records were read out by Interim Principal, John Grasso.

Squeo did the honor of raising the flag, while the school's brass trio played "Taps." He later gave a speech to the children, describing the good luck charms he kept in his flight jacket pocket during his service in Vietnam, as well as showing them an actual piece of his Vietnam uniform, his camouflage "boonie" cap.

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