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ROTTERDAM
District pays tribute to military members
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

   Eric Bisaillon Jr. stood beside his father and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to a standing-room-only crowd gathered at the Mohonasen High School football fi eld.
   The 14-year-old Mohonasen student waved goodbye to his dad three years ago, when the chief petty officer in the Navy departed for Iraq. Eric and his father joined other students and families Thursday evening to salute the town’s armed services personnel during the school’s fi rst military family appreciation night.
   “It’s really good to see all these people are noticing what’s going on,” the young student said during the game.
   Members of all branches of the military were present at the game, which school officials dedicated to those who served and are serving in the armed forces.
   The evening was the idea of Christine Reimers, a Mohonasen parent who wanted to bring recognition to the many families throughout the district that have loved ones serving in the military.
   Reimers’ daughter, Mariya, was among a group of sixth-grade students who put together a DVD of their songs, pictures and poems, which were later sent to hundreds of service members overseas. Touched by the DVD, Reimers decided to approach the district about hosting an evening where Mohonasen families could show their appreciation for these soldiers and those who served in the past.
   “The more I moved around the bigger the ideas got,” she said.
   Mohonasen Principal Patrick McGrath said the event highlights the sacrifices felt by many district families. He said many people forget how difficult day-to-day life can be for these families.
   “It’s a reminder there are some who do have parents that have been out of the country for more than a year,” he said.
   Mohonasen’s game against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake started off with an Army bomb disposal robot delivering the game ball to the field. The branches of the military presented the colors, while an Army OH-58 helicopter based in Albany circled overhead. All around the field’s bleachers, military personnel set up booths manned by recruiters.
   Army recruiters brought a rockclimbing wall to the field, while the Marines set up an an oversized effigy of a drill sergeant along the sidelines.
   The group of seventh-graders who sang on the DVD delivered their rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” to a cheering crowd at half time. Army Sgt. Major Anthony Cemento, a former Mohonasen student and decorated war veteran who spoke during the event, said the recognition means a lot to those now serving overseas.
   “It makes life easier for us when we know they’re behind us 100 percent,” he said

BRUCE SQUIERS/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER In a brief ceremony before Thursday night’s high school football game in Rotterdam, members of the Mohonasen Marching Band perform on the athletic field. The ceremony recognized those in military service, past and present.

I wonder if any of our national politicians were invited.  They could come and let people right in the small town of Rotterdam REALLY know what they think of the people who serve our country and our community.  Mr. McNulty???  Mr. Schumer??? Ms. Clinton???  

Would we have to "suspend our disbelief" while they came on and told us how they felt?

Thank you, Mohonasen for doing this and I wish that I had known.  I would have done my best to be there and support the military.