By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Marlborough – A spirit of patriotism outshone a drizzly May 22 when kindergarten through fourth-grade students at Sgt. Charles J. Jaworek Elementary School in Marlborough welcomed military veterans to their annual outdoor Memorial Day program.
The program is organized by music teacher Meg DeFazio, who moved the holiday observance outdoors when she started at Jaworek in 2001. She directed the students singing patriotic songs such as “America the Beautiful,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” “God Bless America” and “The Star Bangled Banner.” Additionally, each grade sang a separate song.
Students visibly appreciated performing the “Armed Forces Medley” for the veterans attending as their guests of honor. DeFazio announced each veteran in attendance, their military branch and relation to a Jaworek student. Names of living and deceased veterans were posted on a Wall of Honor. The program concluded with all students singing “The Great Defenders.”