Nearly 500 veterans gathered at Questar III’s Columbia-Greene and Rensselaer Educational Centers for the 13th annual Veterans Day Luncheon. The meals, catered and served by Culinary Arts, Introduction to Foods and SkillsUSA students, brought area veterans together to honor their sacrifice and thank them for their service.
“Personally I feel like it’s just giving back for everything they’ve done, past and future. It’s basically just giving back for their service, risking their lives for everything they’ve done,” said Nelson Nieves, a Culinary Arts student from Lansingburgh CSD.
“It’s great to give back to the veterans and thanking them for their service. It’s heartwarming for me,” said Chase Schaefer of Coxsackie-Athens. Schaefer is part of Skills USA, and Skills USA students served as greeters and ushers for the event.
At the lunch in Hudson on November 3rd, Congressman Chris Gibson, also a veteran, spent part of the day visiting and talking with veterans and their families.
“They’re opening their doors for veterans, we got a wonderful meal, express gratitude for all of our service members and their families for their achievements and for their sacrifices,” Gibson said.
Those who attended say it’s nice to be remembered and honored, especially by young people.
“I’m really surprised because so much of the youth don’t do that stuff it’s great they do a wonderful job and I think it’s great to do something for the veterans because we’re a forgotten group sometimes and I really appreciate it,” said US Navy veteran Jerry Whitman at the REC luncheon.
Also a veteran of the Navy, Questar III Network Engineer Jim Garvey attended the luncheon in Hudson with the American Legion.
“It’s just great to see all the kids come together and put this on for us veterans, it warms the heart. Go back and see some of the guys from World War II and Korea are in their 80s, and the way the kids are communicating with them. It’s a fine job, we really appreciate it,” Garvey said.
Photos of Rea’s time in the Army. Click the image to view it in a larger size.
Josephine Rea served in the US Army Military Police on horseback during World War II. She even brought some pictures of her time in the Army with her to the REC event.
“I didn’t know what it was all about, but they said they’d tell me they said ‘we will tell you what to do’, I was just a kid, I wasn’t even 20,” she said.
Rea’s brother served in the Marine Corps – something Rea wanted to do but wasn’t of age at the time. She was just 19 when she enlisted and was willing to serve anywhere in any branch of the military.
Now 91 years old, Rea says it’s nice to have events where she can connect with others who served.
“I think it’s wonderful. That’s where I want to go. Where the congregation is about what I was about. Here, and other places where there is something to do with being a military person,” she said.
A simple act of gratitude from students, and a time for veterans to connect with those with whom they share a common bond- one that stands the test of time.
CTE students and staff initiated the luncheon tribute in 2003 as a way to celebrate and honor local veterans. See more photos on our Facebook page.
