For 19 years, Branford High School (BHS) has made Veterans Day a touching, teachable moment by bringing in veterans of many military actions to be honored by the entire student body, followed by sessions where vets share their stories in small class settings.

“It’s living history (from) people who we cannot thank enough, but try our best,” said event organizer, Student Council advisor and Horizons Program teacher Sal Zarra. Each year on Veterans Day, Zarra helps the two BHS groups combine to deliver the BHS Anthony “Bob” Bescher Veterans Appreciation Day program.

This year’s event, held on Friday, Nov. 11, brought more than 40 veterans to BHS. They arrived to cheers from students; then saluted the kids as their names and military service were announced. The BHS Band and BHS Music Makers provided the morning’s patriotic musical entertainment.

The guests of honor represented eras stretching from World War II to today’s actions and all branches of the military. Several of the veterans are members of Branford Public Schools, including Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez (Lt. Col. Marine Corp), retired BHS teachers Sidney Clow (Navy 3rd Class Sonar Man, USS Cravealle, 1956-60) and Paul Rowan (U.S. Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer, Cold War, 1956-60) as well as present day teachers Mike McDermott (U.S. Coast Guard), Andres Wullaert (Sgt. Army Aco 3 BSTB-10th Mountain Division, Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan) and David Gruendel (Sgt. Army Persian Gulf War, Operation Noble Eagle).

Gruendel asked the students to appreciate and share the stories they would hear that day from the veterans, asking them to, “... listen, learn, feel and then, go teach.”

“Honor the opportunities that these men and women have fought and defended, so that you can be here,” said Gruendel, adding that, like those who have served as brothers and sisters in arms, students should “...be there for each other.”

“Protect each other, look out for each other. You do that, and you honor us,” said Gruendel.