November 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 15 Fashion Show draws over 450 Over 450 mothers and friends attended the Don Bosco Prep Fashion Show and Dinner held at the Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh New Jersey. Fashions for women were presented on the catwalk by Lord & Taylor and men’s formal wear was modeled by Don Bosco Prep students wearing Biltmore Tuxedos. The event was sponsored by the Don Bosco Prep Mothers’ Guild. Pictured: The fashion show chairwomen dressed in red are Kathleen Martorano (Washington Township), Marina Chassapis (Upper Saddle River), Don Bosco Prep Principal John Stanczak, Barbara Zubowski (Old Tappan) and Geralyn Wright (Franklin Lakes). Proceeds from this event are dedicated for continued investment in technology, facilities, and educational programs at the school. Veterans honored (continued from page 4) families of our fallen soldiers. We will never forget their service or their sacrifice.” Mahwah High School student William Perl told the crowd the nation owes a great debt to its veterans whose service spans every decade and continues every day of the country’s existence. “Through untold courage and sacrifice, America’s veterans have secured the liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” Perl said. “To our veterans, both men and women, speaking for the youth of today, you accomplished extraordinary things for us and you have the gratitude and appreciation of a very grateful nation.” Maggie Sciabica, a Saint Paul Interparochial School student, also addressed the crowd. “We are here today to pay tribute to the men and women who wore the uniform of our nation and fought bravely for our freedom,” Sciabica said. “On this Veterans Day, we acknowledge those who served and continue to serve in faraway lands. We remember those who paid the ultimate price in defense of our freedom. We thank all who served and those who are still serving for the sacrifices they have made in order for us to live in peace and freedom. We ask God to bless their dedication and service and bring those who are currently serving, home safely.” She also read a poem written in 2003 by a United States Army veteran that chronicles the brave and unselfish way that soldiers assure “our right to live life free.” Students of Saint Paul Interparochial School then presented a wreath in honor of all deceased veterans at the monument and flagpole at the center of the memorial park. Gary Montroy, commander of VFW Post 7124, followed with an address in which he said, “It’s a great day to be an American, it’s a great day to be a veteran, and I feel privileged and proud to be part of this group of veterans who have done so much for so many. “Today we gather to salute our nation’s veterans on this 93rd Veterans Day in honor of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the Great War that was supposed to end all wars,” Montroy said. “I feel like every day is a blessing especially when I think back over the years that have flown by so quickly and I remember my friends who did not come home like I came home, who won’t see this day, like I see this day, who won’t be remembered unless we remember them.” Montroy emphasized that those serving their country at this time deserve everyone’s support as do their families. “We must wake up this nation,” he continued, “We must remind the youth of today of the price that was paid for them and what the term ‘Duty, Honor, and Country’ means. We must protect our nation, as much today as we did in years past. Our service to this nation is not over. We have much to do before the final roll call. We have much to pass on. Those who are free today are free only because of the work and efforts and suffering of veterans. This must never be reduced in value or forgotten.” Peter DeKramer of the Mahwah American Legion Post 531 recounted how the song “All gave some and some gave all” inspired him and his fellow veterans and he told his audience, “If you can read, thank a teacher. If you can read in English, thank a soldier.” Following the singing of “God Bless America” by the audience, Mahwah High School Band students David Ingersoll, Kyle Dubiel, and Nicholas Kosmala played “Taps” and the Mahwah Police Honor Guard fired a rifle salute. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day in November 1919 to recognize the armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, requesting the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Nov. 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples. Nov. 11 became a legal holiday in 1938. In 1954, the 83rd Congress declared it a day to honor all American veterans.