Local students honor veterans

Sparta — On Friday, May 16 Alpine Montessori of Sparta held a special event with local Veterans celebrating Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.

Preschool and Kindergarten classes prepared special goodies for soldiers which were delivered to Picatinny Arsenal to be distributed to soldiers as a thank you for their service.

Retired Sgt. Maj. Eli Thomas, a former Alpine Montessori parent, and Capt. Justin Metz came to the school and spent time with the students.

They spent a great deal of time with the students answering questions and teaching them many fun and interesting facts about life in all branches of the military. They also brought in different uniforms, medals, patches and coins to show the students.

There were many high points for the children. They were taught to march and how to stand at attention. A compass was brought out for the children to see how they could always find where they were going if they were lost.

Sgt. Maj. Thomas was a Ranger and talked a lot about jumping out of airplanes and helicopters.

The students are very thankful for the soldiers serving our country and very thankful for the two special soldiers who came and shared their love for the military with them.