Celebrating Veteran's Day at Far Hills

To honor Veterans Day, our Far Hills community engaged in meaningful activities across all grades, fostering respect, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by our military members. From heartfelt discussions with an Army veteran to creative expressions of appreciation and community-wide acts of generosity, our students celebrated Veterans Day in impactful ways.

Preschool

In celebration of Veteran's Day, Mrs. Porcello's preschool class had a special visit from one of our own parents, Mallory Pelletier P'34, who shared her experiences as a U.S. Army Veteran. Ms. Pelletier began by gathering the students around a world map, where she pointed to various places she traveled during her time in service. The children listened intently as she explained what it means to be a Veteran and the importance of this day.

To make the experience even more meaningful, Mallory brought along several items from her service, including medallions, patches, and ribbons, which she shared with the students. She showed them the American flag patch worn by service members, as well as a special black-and-grey version designed for camouflage.

Ms. Pelletier also talked about Will's dad, who served in the Army as well, highlighting that their family shares a commitment to service. To help the students remember the significance of the day, she handed out small poppy flower pins for them to wear. She explained how the poppy flower became a symbol of remembrance and sacrifice after World War I as poppies grew across the battlefields.

It was a memorable day for our preschoolers, who learned the significance of Veterans Day and the selfless service of those who defend our freedoms. We are grateful to Ms. Pelletier for helping our students understand the importance of Veteran's Day and for sharing her family's inspiring story of service with us. Thank you to all the veterans in our community for your courage, sacrifice, and dedication!

Kindergarten and Grade 3

Our Kindergarten and Grade 3 students recently welcomed a very special guest, Army veteran and Far Hills parent Brian Sudler P'30, '33, who visited to share the profound significance of Veterans Day. Through his personal experiences and insights, Mr. Sudler brought the history and sacrifices of Veterans Day to life, leaving a lasting impact on our young students.

The Kindergarten students also embraced this learning opportunity with heartfelt creativity. They read Hero Dad and Hero Mom, two inspiring stories that explore the lives of military parents. Afterward, the children colored pictures to be sent to an Air Force base in Texas, where they will surely bring joy to the troops stationed there.

Through this experience, our young Falcons learned the importance of honoring those who serve and discovered the joy of giving back to others. We are proud of our community's commitment to gratitude and service, values we celebrate not only on Veterans Day but all year round.

Upper School

In addition, our Upper School Faculty honored Veterans Day by sharing photos and stories of the veterans in their own lives with Upper School students during community meetings. This gesture offered a personal touch to the day’s events, connecting students with the real-life stories of courage and sacrifice that Veterans Day represents.

Through these meaningful experiences, our community came together to celebrate gratitude, honor, and service—values we uphold throughout the year. We are proud of the compassion and respect demonstrated by our students and faculty alike.

Click here to view the photo gallery!