LINWOOD — Flags were flying, trumpets were trumpeting and cheerleaders were cheering Wednesday, Dec. 21, as military members and veterans were welcomed to a special symphonic event at Mainland Regional High School.
Upper Township resident Bruce DiNardo, a member of AMVETS Post 911, was first to pass through the pom-pom path to the cheers of dozens lined up to either side of the school’s main entrance.
Surprised by all of the hoopla, he was welcomed by Carly McCarthy, president of the Support Our Troops Club, along with student Mark Marrone and other members of the group.
“I think it’s really important to honor the veterans and the active service members in our community,” McCarthy said, noting a couple of the club’s events had been postponed.
“We didn’t get to do some of our earlier events this year, so we put this together for the winter season to thank the veterans,” McCarthy said.
The Support Our Troops Club teamed up with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble for an encore performance of their previous night’s Winter Band Concert, led by instrumental music instructor Derek Rohaly. They were joined by the cheerleading squad, while the Baking Club provided sweet treats.
“It’s perfect for the holiday season because we get to give away some goodies and it really allowed us to work with more people,” McCarthy said. “It’s nice that we all got to work together for this great event.”
Club adviser Veronica Fath said the groups wanted to “celebrate the senior citizens in our community and our veterans and active service members.”
Among those stopping by were Sgt. Tyrone Gibson, a recruiter with the New Jersey Army National Guard out of Atlantic City who frequents the school.
The New York City native, who picked up Pvt. Arydel Grucida of Atlantic City fresh out of basic training for the event, said school guidance counselors informed him of the concert.
The cheers for U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ida Lucchesi and her husband, USAF Maj. Arnold Lucchesi, were extra loud from their daughter, freshman cheerleader Ellie Lucchesi.
“It’s nice, I appreciate it,” the lieutenant colonel from Linwood said. “Serving is a great honor and seeing that the community wants to give back means a lot.”
She said it was her first experience with the Support Our Troops Club at the school.
Several members of a local group that usually does the honoring, the Legion Riders, were in attendance to enjoy the festivities. Members of the motorcycle club included Don Landry of Brigantine, who stopped to talk to student Mark Marrone and sign the star of service.
Marrone said he became more interested in honoring the military after his grandfather, an Army engineer who served at the Battle of the Bulge, passed away two years ago.
Several dozen people attended the concert, during which the cheer squad performed a routine.
Cheer coach Jessica Gonzalez of Ventnor said the squad was more than happy to take part, having missed out on an opportunity to perform during a promotional football game at the Mustang Corral that had to be canceled by the visiting team.
“It’s always been important to me and my assistants to support the military,” Gonzalez said, noting she went on multiple military tours when she was with the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
