Veterans honored at school ceremony

November 11th is always a special day at the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School (AMS) as the staff and students take time to honor the veterans from both sides of the border in a special Remembrance Day/Veterans Day ceremony. Because of the geographical location of  Akwesasne, community members have served in the military in both the United States and Canada.  At the Remembrance Day ceremony both national anthems are played and veterans are invited to join the celebration without regard to what side of the border they served on.

This year’s theme for the ceremony was to follow a timeline from World War I to the present wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The community members who served and died were given special recognition while students told the course of history and wars that affected the community.

At the ceremony students were joined by five local veterans who served in the military over the years: Larry White, Roy Curotte, Dan George, Richard Phillips, and Bruce Tarbell.  They were also joined by Jeffrey Johnson, who is presently serving in Iraq and is home on Leave.  At the end of the ceremony Mr. Barry Montour, Director of the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education, took the opportunity to present tokens of appreciation to the veterans in attendance.  Present but not in the photos was Bruce Tarbell as he chose to sit with his family during the ceremony.

The mood of the ceremony was one of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices these men, as well as all veterans, have made over the years.  At the end of the ceremony, all students and staff took the opportunity to shake the hands of the brave men and to personally say “Thank You.”