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For VFW Post 2285 Commander Bob Foster, the best part of the Memorial Day celebration held on the lawn of Bronxville High School on Friday was not the music or the words of thanks and praise honoring veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.For Foster, it was all about the kids."It was so heartwarming for me to see the youngsters with their hands over their hearts as our National Anthem played." he said. "It was just fantastic."School Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone told students the purpose of the ceremony was to honor those who died defending our country. "Some of those men and women came from Bronxville, and once stood where you are standing today.In addition to laying a wreath at the base of the flagpole by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, High School Principal Terence Barton presented two memorial awards to 10th grade students.The first award is in memory of Berry Bonning Penfield, a Bronxville High School graduate of the class of 1940. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Penfield tried to enlist in the Army but was rejected for medical reasons. Instead, she joined the Dutch Woman's War Corps.Stationed in Holland, and helped soldiers including the Battle of the Bulge late in the war. Sophomore Elena Likuizi was presented with that award.Principal Barton said that the Thomas Hodgson Memorial Award is traditionally given to a tenth grade boy who bests displays the qualities Hodgson embodied."He was a good student and athlete. He was unselfish and set an outstanding example to other students." Barton said.Hodgson was a high school senior when he accelerated his studies so he could graduate early. He served in the Army and was discharged and attended graduated from Duke University but later re-enlisted and died in the Korean War in 1952.Tenth grader Andrew Jackson was presented with that award.Did you attend the ceremony? If so, tell us what you liked best about it.
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