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Haldane Students Honor Veteran
D.C. trip included Arlington National Cemetery
Memorial Day will hold added meaning for 82 members of the Haldane High School junior class following a four-day trip to Washington, D.C.
The first three days of the March trip included visits to the U.S. Capitol, the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials, the September 11 Memorial and Museum, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Smithsonian Institute.
On the final day, the group traveled to Arlington National Cemetery. It is there that Rhys Williams and a few classmates visited the grave of his grandfather, Preston Williams.
Preston Williams' military service included two Army tours during the Vietnam War. In May 1967, as commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, and just short of his 25th birthday, Williams was in combat for nine straight days.
During a two-hour firefight, he moved from position to position, directing supportive fire — gallantry that earned him a Silver Star. He was also awarded a Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars and other commendations during his service. Williams died in June 2024 and was buried at Arlington with military honors.
Rhys said he remembers his grandfather's funeral vividly, including the 21-gun salute. "I realized the impact he had on others, how he meant a lot to so many people beyond our family," Rhys said.
On March 27, he revisited the burial site. "I wanted to see it again," Rhys said. "I felt very proud of my grandfather; you can see all his awards on the gravestone."
The trip to Arlington concluded for the juniors with Cooper Corless and Christine Junjulas, accompanied by Jaiden Gunther and Elaina Johanson, placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of Haldane High School.
"Having the opportunity to actually lay the wreath was so powerful; I was really moved," said Corless. Junjulas echoed that sentiment: "It was a really cool way to have our school honor the people who have done so much for our country." Both have family members who served in the military.
Teachers Kristen Peparo and Marilyn Granese, co-advisors for the class, planned the Washington trip. "I think the students felt a reverence for our country, its leaders, our history and the sacrifice many made to fight for our democracy," Peparo said. She said that, while visiting Arlington, the Haldane group passed by a military funeral.
"Our students were so respectful and considerate of the grieving family," she said. "It was wonderful to see them pay such deep respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
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By Highlands CurrentD.C. trip included Arlington National Cemetery
Memorial Day will hold added meaning for 82 members of the Haldane High School junior class following a four-day trip to Washington, D.C.
The first three days of the March trip included visits to the U.S. Capitol, the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials, the September 11 Memorial and Museum, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Smithsonian Institute.
On the final day, the group traveled to Arlington National Cemetery. It is there that Rhys Williams and a few classmates visited the grave of his grandfather, Preston Williams.
Preston Williams' military service included two Army tours during the Vietnam War. In May 1967, as commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, and just short of his 25th birthday, Williams was in combat for nine straight days.
During a two-hour firefight, he moved from position to position, directing supportive fire — gallantry that earned him a Silver Star. He was also awarded a Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars and other commendations during his service. Williams died in June 2024 and was buried at Arlington with military honors.
Rhys said he remembers his grandfather's funeral vividly, including the 21-gun salute. "I realized the impact he had on others, how he meant a lot to so many people beyond our family," Rhys said.
On March 27, he revisited the burial site. "I wanted to see it again," Rhys said. "I felt very proud of my grandfather; you can see all his awards on the gravestone."
The trip to Arlington concluded for the juniors with Cooper Corless and Christine Junjulas, accompanied by Jaiden Gunther and Elaina Johanson, placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of Haldane High School.
"Having the opportunity to actually lay the wreath was so powerful; I was really moved," said Corless. Junjulas echoed that sentiment: "It was a really cool way to have our school honor the people who have done so much for our country." Both have family members who served in the military.
Teachers Kristen Peparo and Marilyn Granese, co-advisors for the class, planned the Washington trip. "I think the students felt a reverence for our country, its leaders, our history and the sacrifice many made to fight for our democracy," Peparo said. She said that, while visiting Arlington, the Haldane group passed by a military funeral.
"Our students were so respectful and considerate of the grieving family," she said. "It was wonderful to see them pay such deep respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice."