Stitched with care and presented with pride, three Niskayuna military service members received a warm thank you at Glencliff Elementary School when they were wrapped in handmade patriotic quilts.
The red, white and blue quilts were crafted by the Southern Saratoga County Quilters as part of the national Quilts of Valor initiative, which seeks to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comfort and healing.
During the event, student speakers took to the stage to share the duties of military personnel and the importance of thanking them for their service. The student body also performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “This Land Is Your Land,” “Welcome Home” and “God Bless America” as a slideshow of lyrics and student drawings played behind them.
U.S. Army Reserve Warrant Officer Jonathan Coupal, U.S. Navy veteran David Hilton and U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Justin Staples were honored.
For Coupal, it was a privilege to have his family in the audience, including his wife, who teaches at Glencliff.
“Being in the military, sometimes I can’t be there for certain events,” said Coupal. “It’s always nice to share those moments with them.”
Staples also had family in attendance, including his two children who attend the school. His family nominated him for the honor and kept the details of the ceremony a secret until the big reveal.
Hilton, affectionately nicknamed “Bus Driver Dave,” also received a quilt at the event. He loved hearing the kids sing and sharing the moment with the students, many of whom are on his regular bus route in the district.
In the months leading up to the assembly, Glencliff students and families raised money through coin drops and other fundraising efforts to support the creation of the quilts.
“It is a privilege for Glencliff to be the first school to partner with this local chapter in such a meaningful way,” said Principal David Zadoorian.
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