Ghana Session: Memorial Day and National Police Week

This Ghana Session was used to celebrate not only Memorial Day but also National Police Week. The special guests for this session were Alfonso Freda, Korean War veteran, Janet Anderson, our first female veteran of the military, Tyron McAllister, Asbury Park police officer, and Lou Parisi, World War II veteran. Janet Anderson began the session describing her duties in the military as well as her family history. Mrs. Anderson produced incredible facts about her family. For instance, she spoke about how her grandfather fought in the American Civil War while her father served in World War One. She spoke about how her father had to endure the brutal life of trench warfare.

From there Alfonso Freda spoke about his service during the time of the Korean War. He informed the students in Ghana and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School that he was drafted. In addition, he told the students that he had to endure the hot and cold climate while fighting in Korea. It was a very difficult job but he would serve again he said. Furthermore, he told all students when you see a veteran make sure you say thanks for their service. The students fully agreed.

After Mr. Freda’s presentation, Lou Parisi gave all students a very nice history lesson. He gave a lecture on Crispus Attucks and how he should be remembered for giving his life for the idea of freedom. Crispus Attucks was no doubt the first casualty of the American Revolution as he was killed during the Boston Massacre while fighting for his rights.

Asbury Park Police Officer, Tyron McAllister, spoke about the importance of remembering our veterans as well as being proud to serve the community and protect their rights as the veterans protect everybody in the country’s rights.

All students were shown pictures of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., Iwo Jima Memorial in Spring Lake New Jersey, the 9/11 Memorial in Spring Lake New Jersey, a Tuskegee Airplane drawing by Warren Riddick, and the great George Watson.